If an upload form asks for a PDF below 300KB, 500KB or 1MB, start with its exact limit and check the downloaded result. GetPDFMint lets you choose a compression level, but it does not promise an exact output size.
How to compress PDF to 300KB or another limit
- Open Compress PDF and choose your document.
- Start with Recommended compression. It uses a 150 DPI setting for a balance between image detail and size.
- Compress the file and download the result. Compare its actual size with the upload limit.
- If it is still too large, try Maximum compression, which uses a 72 DPI setting. Inspect small text and images before accepting the result.
- If the text becomes hard to read, return to a higher-quality setting and remove unnecessary pages instead.
Which compression level should I choose?
| Level | Image setting | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 300 DPI | A starting point when preserving image detail matters most. |
| Recommended | 150 DPI | Check the balance between readability and the resulting file size. |
| Maximum | 72 DPI | Small scanned text, signatures and images may look softer. |
These settings are not guaranteed file-size targets. The same level can produce very different results for a typed letter and a document containing scanned images.
Why is my PDF still larger than 300KB?
An already optimized PDF may have little removable data. A long scan may still be too large even after reducing image detail. The tool returns the original PDF unchanged when it cannot safely produce a smaller result. Repeating compression does not guarantee further savings.
What to do when compression is not enough
- Use Remove PDF Pages to leave out pages that the recipient does not need.
- Use Split PDF if the receiving form allows separate documents.
- If you have the original document, create a PDF directly with Word to PDF rather than scanning a printed copy.
Check the size and readability
Inspect the file's size in your device's file information. A portal may calculate KB or MB differently from your file manager, so leave some space below its limit. Open the downloaded PDF and review small numbers, names, dates and diagrams at a useful zoom level.
Upload limits
GetPDFMint's compressor accepts one PDF up to 25 MB and 500 pages. Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first. For more processing details, see compression help and the privacy policy.