How to Compress a PDF Under 2 MB for Job Applications and Forms
Updated October 27, 2026
Many application portals and government forms limit uploads to 1, 2 or 5 MB. Scanned documents and PDFs with photos quickly go over that limit.
Compress your PDF here
Drop your PDF into the tool on this page. FileFlip shows the size before and after, so you see right away if you're under the limit. Your documents stay on your device, which matters for CVs and personal papers.
Target size
Advanced settings
If the file is still too large
- Scan at 150 to 200 DPI instead of 300 or 600. Text stays sharp, the file gets much smaller.
- Scan in grayscale instead of color when color doesn't matter.
- Split large applications into several PDFs if the portal allows multiple uploads.
Combine first, then compress
If the portal wants one file, merge your CV, cover letter and certificates with the Merge PDF tool, then compress the result.
FAQ
- Will my text become blurry?
- Compression mainly shrinks images. Text stays readable in almost all cases.
- Is it safe for personal documents?
- Yes. FileFlip processes your PDF in your browser and never uploads it.
- Why is my scanned PDF so large?
- Scanners often save at high resolution. Each page becomes a large image.