Compress PDF
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Compress PDFs securely. Files auto-delete in one hour.
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Topical hub
Compress PDF for email
Shrink PDF attachments for Gmail, Outlook, and work email limits—compress, merge, watermark, and sign before you send.
7 free tools in this guide — pick one below to get started.
Tools in this guide(7)
Open a tool to calculate, convert, or edit — no signup required.
Compress PDF to 100KB / 200KB / 500KB
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Compress a PDF toward a target file size of 100KB, 200KB, or 500KB.
- On your device
- No signup
- Stays on your device
Merge PDF
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Combine multiple PDF files into one document.
- On your device
- No signup
- Stays on your device
Add Watermark to PDF
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Add text, logo, stamp, or tiled watermarks to PDF pages in your browser.
- On your device
- No signup
- Stays on your device
Sign PDF
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Place a JPG or PNG signature on a PDF on your device.
- On your device
- No signup
- Stays on your device
PDF Page Counter
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Count pages in a PDF and see file size instantly.
- On your device
- No signup
- Stays on your device
Split PDF
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Split a PDF into separate pages or ranges.
- On your device
- No signup
- Stays on your device
Related focused guides
Focused pages with tailored examples and FAQs—each reuses the same tool with task-specific guidance.
Overview
Email providers cap attachment size—often between 10 MB and 25 MB. When a report, contract, or scan exceeds that limit, compression is usually faster than splitting the message across multiple emails.
Compress PDF reduces image weight inside the file while keeping text readable. If you still need a hard ceiling, Compress PDF to KB targets a maximum size. Merge PDF combines appendices into one send; Add Watermark or Sign PDF finishes client-ready packets when recipients expect marked or signed copies.
Follow the Prepare a PDF for email workflow when you want the full sequence: organize pages, compress, watermark, and sign in a sensible order.
How to choose
- Attachment too large → Compress PDF.
- Must stay under 500 KB / 1 MB → Compress PDF to KB.
- Appendix + main doc → Merge PDF first, then compress.
- Draft or confidential mark → Add Watermark.
- Signature required → Sign PDF.
- Check page count before sending → PDF Page Counter.
Frequently asked questions
How small can I compress without ruining readability?
Try Balanced compression first. Open the result and zoom text before sending to clients or professors.
Should I compress before or after merging?
Merge first when you have multiple files, then compress the combined PDF once.
Does compression remove digital signatures?
Re-saving can invalidate signatures. Sign after compression when possible.
Step-by-step workflows (1)
Multi-step guides that chain tools from this topic—follow numbered steps instead of guessing tool order.