Upload forms rarely ask for a "smaller" file. They state a hard limit: 2 MB for a visa application, 5 MB for a job portal, 1 MB for a school form. Compress to Target Size works toward that number. You enter the limit, and it tries increasingly strong settings and stops at the first version that fits, so you keep as much quality as the limit allows.
How to use Compress to Target Size
- Add the PDF.
- Enter the Target size in megabytes, for example 1 for 1 MB or 0.5 for 500 KB.
- Select Compress to Target Size and wait while the compression attempts run.
- Check the downloaded file's size and zoom in on small text before you upload it.
How the target is reached
- A series of attempts: The tool makes a series of attempts, each with lower image resolution and JPEG quality than the one before, starting around 150 DPI and stepping down toward 55 DPI.
- It stops at the first fit: It stops at the first attempt that comes in under your limit, because that attempt keeps the most detail.
- If nothing fits: If no attempt fits, you receive the smallest version it produced, so always check the final size before uploading.
- Only images are reduced: Every attempt keeps text and vector graphics as they are. Only images are reduced.
Setting a sensible target
- Aim slightly below: Enter the limit in megabytes. VelloDoc counts 1 MB as 1,048,576 bytes, while some websites round to 1,000,000, so aiming slightly below the stated limit, like 1.9 for a 2 MB form, avoids a frustrating rejection.
- What's realistic: A one-page text document may already be far under any limit, while a 40-page scan squeezed to a low target will look noticeably softer.
- When the target is too tight for readable pages, splitting the document and uploading it in parts is often the better answer.
- Ready-made limits: For the most common limits, ready-made pages compress straight to 200 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB or 2 MB.
When color is part of the problem
- Color stores three channels: Color scans store three channels of image data.
- For black-and-white paperwork: If the pages are black-and-white paperwork, converting them with Grayscale PDF before using this tool often lets the target be met at a higher resolution, which keeps text clearer.
- Where to read more: The guide to reducing PDF size covers what makes documents heavy and how to choose between compression, grayscale and splitting.
When people use Compress to Target Size
Visa and government forms
Official portals often enforce small, exact limits. Hit the stated size without guessing at compression settings.
Job application systems
Get a CV and supporting documents under an applicant tracking system's upload cap while keeping them readable.
Email attachment limits
Fit a large scan under a mail provider's attachment ceiling so it arrives in one message instead of several.
Limitations to know
Compress to Target Size requires Ghostscript on the server. It lowers image resolution and quality only, so text-heavy files may not reach small targets, and when no attempt fits you receive the smallest result instead of an error. Very low targets make scanned pages visibly softer.
Compress to Target Size: common questions
What if my PDF can't reach the target?
You get the smallest version the tool produced, which may still be above your limit. That usually means the file is dominated by content compression can't shrink, like fonts or a very long document. Try grayscale conversion first, or split the document into parts.
Why does this take longer than Compress PDF?
It may compress the document several times, trying stronger settings until one fits. Large scans take longer because every attempt processes each image again.
How does VelloDoc measure 1 MB?
As 1,048,576 bytes. Some websites use 1,000,000 bytes instead, so choose a target slightly under the stated limit to be safe.
Why is this tool unavailable on some servers?
Target-size compression relies on Ghostscript. When a server doesn't have it installed, the tool says so clearly instead of failing silently. Compress PDF still works without it.