Works best for exported PDFs and mixed documents. Use it first to avoid quality loss.
PDF Upload Limits Hub
Solve strict upload limits with repeatable workflows and the right tools. Start with safe compression, then split or rebuild scanned PDFs when needed.
What this hub covers
Upload portals (universities, job applications, visa forms, procurement systems) commonly enforce strict file-size limits such as 2MB, 5MB, or 10MB. The key is to reduce size without destroying text clarity or removing required evidence pages.
Rule of thumb: If your PDF is “digital” (exported from Word/PowerPoint), compression is usually easy. If it is “scanned” (camera/flatbed), you must control image resolution (DPI) and encoding.
Fast workflow selector
Convert pages to images, compress to the target size, and build a new PDF.
If the portal allows multiple files, splitting often preserves quality better than aggressive compression.
Quick targets
A quality-safe playbook for strict 2MB upload portals.
For ultra-strict limits: when to compress, rebuild scans, or split.
Recommended “Under 2MB” playbook
- Remove unnecessary pages: use Delete Pages / Reorder first.
- Compress once: run the PDF compressor and re-check file size.
- If still too big: split by sections (e.g., ID, transcripts, certificates) and upload multiple files.
- For scanned PDFs: rebuild from compressed images (target 150–200 DPI for text-heavy documents).
- Verify clarity: zoom to 200–300% and confirm text edges are clean (no halo/pixelation).
Related guide: Make Any File Under 1MB and Compress Scanned PDFs: Best Settings.
Common portal mistakes
Many portals cache old files. Always rename the final file and re-check the size after download.
Merging scanned PDFs can multiply embedded images. Compress before and after merge.
Phone “document scan” filters can bloat size. Prefer clean grayscale and moderate contrast.
Best tools from this hub
- PDF Compress – first pass for exported PDFs.
- Split PDF – when multiple uploads are allowed.
- PDF to PNG + Image Compress + Image to PDF – reliable scanned-PDF workflow.
- Redact – remove sensitive info before submission (do not rely on highlight-only masking).
FAQ
Is splitting better than compressing?
If the portal accepts multiple files, splitting usually preserves quality and avoids unreadable text.
What DPI is “safe” for text documents?
For most scanned documents, 150–200 DPI is a good starting point. Use 300 DPI only when you must preserve very small print.
Will compression remove signatures?
Some PDFs embed signatures as images or annotations. Always re-open the final file and confirm the signature is visible and intact.