To compress a PDF to 1 MB, open the scan, keep PDF selected and leave Maximum size at 1 MB. For 500 KB or another limit, choose that target and check the saved size and readable details. It is free and the document stays in your browser.
How to compress a PDF to 1 MB
- Open the scanned PDF or photo of your license, passport or other document. Check the crop and rotate it upright if needed.
- Keep PDF in Format and 1 MB in Maximum size. Choose 500 KB, 2 MB or another available target when the recipient asks for it.
- Check the displayed output size and every required detail, then download. Reopen the saved file before attaching it.
The available targets run from 100 KB to 5 MB. If the copy cannot fit at a usable quality, the tool reports the smallest result it could make. Choose a larger accepted target or ask the recipient for another route rather than sending unreadable evidence.
Choose the recipient's actual limit
An upload ceiling belongs to the form or organisation receiving the file. There is no universal US rental or identity-document size requirement. A 1 MB target here means 1,000,000 bytes; 500 KB means 500,000 bytes.
Crop away the table or background before compressing a card. Add the back only if it is requested. To arrange both sides on one Letter sheet, first use ID to PDF, then compress the saved copy if necessary.
For rental evidence, verify the listing and person requesting it before sending a license, passport or pay stub. The FTC warns that fraudulent listings can be used to collect personal information; a small file or purpose label cannot make the request legitimate.
Scanned copies and original PDFs
Open JPG, PNG, supported HEIC or PDF up to 25 MB. Only the first ten PDF pages are processed. The exported PDF contains page images and loses selectable text, digital signatures and interactive fields. Keep the issued original when those properties matter.
Compression redraws the pages as images, so this workflow suits readable sharing copies of scans. It is not a way to preserve a signed form or the structure of an issued PDF. Processing stays in your browser, without a document upload or account. The source stays unchanged and the download excludes camera metadata.
You can hide agreed unnecessary details or label an accepted copy for its recipient before making the final smaller file. Read the ID-sharing guide when assessing the request.
Common questions
How do I compress a PDF to 1 MB for free?
Open the PDF, keep PDF selected and leave Maximum size at 1 MB. Check that the saved result is below the required ceiling and that its details remain readable. If the target cannot be reached, the tool shows the smallest result it made.
Can I compress a PDF to 500 KB or 2 MB?
Yes. Select the requested target in Maximum size, then inspect the result. Available targets run from 100 KB to 5 MB; a very small target can make a detailed scan unreadable.
Will my PDF keep selectable text and digital signatures?
No. The output contains page images, without selectable text, interactive fields or valid digital signatures. Keep the issued original separately.
Will all my PDF pages be included?
Only the first ten PDF pages are processed. Check the page count in the download and use a workflow that preserves every page for a longer document.
Is 1 MB a requirement for every rental application?
No. Follow the verified recipient's actual instructions. The size targets are editing choices rather than national submission requirements.
Is my document uploaded to compress it?
No. The file is read and processed in your browser on your device, without an account or document upload.
