PDF Compression5 min read

How to Compress PDF Under 1MB Online (Free Tool)

Published 2025-11-07 • Updated 2025-11-07

Ever tried to upload a PDF only to get the message “File size too large”? Whether it’s for email attachments, online forms, or college applications, file size limits can be annoying. Luckily, you can compress your PDF under 1MB online for free — no installs, no signups.

Let’s walk through how to do it easily with FocusBud’s free PDF compression tool.

Step-by-Step: Compress Your PDF Under 1MB

  1. Go to focusbud.me/tools/compress-pdf (or open the tool directly at /pdf#compress).
  2. Upload your PDF (drag & drop or click to select a file).
  3. Choose a compression preset:
    • Small (/screen) – strongest compression, best for getting under 1MB.
    • Medium (/ebook) – balanced quality and size.
    • High (/prepress) – larger files with higher quality.
  4. Click Compress (Apply) and wait for processing to finish.
  5. Download your compressed file.
  6. Check the file size on your device. If it’s still over 1MB, try the Small (/screen)preset, remove unnecessary pages, or convert images to a lower DPI.

Tips to Get Under 1MB

  • Prefer the Small (/screen) preset for the greatest size reduction.
  • Remove pages you don’t need first: extract pages or merge only what matters.
  • Scanned PDFs? They’re image‑heavy. Reducing image DPI (e.g., 150) or converting to grayscale can help before compression.
  • If you only need a few pages for an upload, use Split to keep just those pages, then compress.

Ready to shrink your PDF?

Fast, private, and free.

FAQ

Will the quality drop?

Compression reduces size mainly by re‑encoding and downsampling images. Text usually remains crisp. If quality matters, try Medium (/ebook) first, then Small (/screen) if needed.

Is it safe to compress PDFs on FocusBud?

Yes — we process files with privacy in mind. Client‑side where possible, and server tools only when advanced processing is required.

Does it work for scanned PDFs?

Yes, but scanned documents are mostly images. Using Small (/screen) helps. If the file is still large, consider re‑scanning at 150–200 DPI or converting images to grayscale.

Are there any file limits?

For most everyday documents, you’re good. If you hit an unusual error, try a different preset or split the PDF and compress again.

Related tools

  • Merge PDF – combine multiple files before compressing.
  • N‑Up PDF – place multiple pages per sheet for smaller handouts.
  • Edit PDF Metadata – clean up title, author, subject, keywords.