Compress PDF Under 1 MB
To compress a PDF to under 1 MB, upload it to CurePDF, choose "Custom target size," enter 1 MB, and compress. Most everyday PDFs — reports, forms, scanned letters — comfortably reach under 1 MB.
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Compress PDF under 1 MB →Under 1 MB is one of the most commonly requested compression targets, since it's a safe size for most upload forms, portals, and email attachments. Most PDFs under roughly 20-30 pages with normal (not print-resolution) images will get there without much visible quality loss.
How to Compress a PDF under 1 MB
- Upload your PDF to CurePDF's Compress PDF tool.
- Switch to "Custom target size."
- Enter 1 and select MB, or use the 1 MB quick-set button.
- Click Compress PDF.
- Confirm the new size is under 1 MB, then download.
Things to Keep in Mind
Under 1 MB is a wide enough target that most documents reach it using CurePDF's gentler compression settings, keeping images visually close to the original. Very large scanned PDFs (dozens of pages, high-DPI scans) may need stronger compression, which can start to soften image detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do so many forms ask for a PDF under 1 MB?
It's a common, conservative limit that works reliably across most upload systems and email providers, since it keeps files small enough to upload and process quickly.
Can a scanned PDF get under 1 MB?
Usually, yes, especially for a handful of pages. Long or very high-resolution scans may need stronger compression to get there, with some visible quality trade-off.
Does CurePDF keep trying if the first attempt is still over 1 MB?
Yes — it works through progressively stronger compression settings until the file is under your target, or returns the smallest result it could safely produce if the target can't be met.
Is my file kept after compressing?
No — files are processed in memory and automatically deleted within 1 hour of upload.