Enter the limit
Use KB or MB, with quick presets for common upload boxes.
Exact-size PDF compression · zero uploads
Too large? Pinch the PDF.
Set the upload limit in KB or MB. PDFPinch searches for the clearest downloadable result below it—entirely inside your browser.
Specific KB or MB targetPrivate local processingNo account or watermark
Tool 02
Fit the PDF to the upload box.
Your document never leaves this browser.
Maximum output sizePDFPinch aims just below this limit
Honest limitation
Heavy compression rebuilds pages as images. Text, forms, links, accessibility tags, and digital signatures may be flattened. Keep your original.
02
Your document stays on your device.
PDFPinch uses local browser code. There is no file upload, temporary server copy, account, or watermark.
One clear job
A size limit, not a mystery slider.
Most PDF compressors ask you to choose “low,” “medium,” or “high.” Upload forms ask for something concrete: under 200 KB, under 1 MB, or another exact ceiling.
PDFPinch works backwards from that ceiling. It tests multiple compression levels and keeps the clearest version that fits.
Compress locally
The browser renders and rebuilds pages without sending the document away.
Check the result
See the finished byte size and reduction before downloading.
Useful for
Documents headed for strict upload boxes.
Government forms
Certificates and applications with narrow MB limits.
Visa portals
Supporting PDFs that must fit a fixed upload ceiling.
University applications
Transcripts and statements prepared for online submission.
Job applications
Résumés, portfolios, and combined supporting documents.
Email attachments
Smaller copies when a mail service rejects the original.
Do not use raster compression for digitally signed PDFs, editable forms, archival masters, or documents that must retain selectable text. Keep the original and inspect every downloaded page.
Questions, answered
Before you compress.
Does PDFPinch upload my PDF?
No. The PDF is read, rendered, compressed, and rebuilt by your browser. HandyTrove does not receive or store the document.
Can it compress a PDF to 100 KB or 500 KB?
Yes. Enter the maximum size and PDFPinch searches for the clearest result below it. Very small limits may not be possible for long or image-heavy documents.
Why can selectable text disappear after compression?
When simple optimisation is not enough, PDFPinch rebuilds each page as a compressed image. That makes reliable size targeting possible but can flatten text, links, forms, layers, accessibility tags, and digital signatures.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
Not currently. Remove the password in the application that created the document, then compress a copy only if you are allowed to do so.
Will the compressed PDF pass my upload portal?
PDFPinch checks the output byte size. You still need to confirm page count, legibility, document type, naming, signature, and any other rules shown by the destination portal.
Need the reasoning behind the settings? Read the exact-size PDF guide →