Compress a PDF to under 200 KB

Upload portals for admissions, scholarships and job applications often limit each document to 200 KB: a degree, a transcript, a CNIC or ID card scan. This page is set to 200 KB. Drop the PDF in and download a copy that fits. The file stays on your device.

How many pages fit in 200 KB?

A rough guide: one or two scanned pages fit comfortably and stay readable. Five or more scanned pages in 200 KB will look soft. If the portal allows several files, upload pages separately using split PDF.

Making scans smaller before you start

• Scan at 150–200 dpi rather than 300 or 600. Forms rarely need more.
• Scan in greyscale when colour is not required.
• Remove blank pages and back sides with extract pages.

The compressed PDF is made of pictures of the pages, so text cannot be selected. Keep the original for your records.

Other limits: under 1 MB or any size.