How to Reduce PDF Size for Email: Quick Solutions
PDF too large to email? Learn quick methods to reduce PDF file size and stay under email attachment limits.
Understanding Email Attachment Limits
Most email providers impose strict limits on attachment sizes:
| Email Provider | Attachment Limit |
|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB |
| Outlook | 20 MB |
| Yahoo Mail | 25 MB |
| Apple Mail | 20 MB |
| Corporate email | Often 10-15 MB |
When your PDF exceeds these limits, the email simply won't send. Here's how to solve this problem quickly.
Quick Solution: Online PDF Compression
The fastest way to reduce PDF size is using an online compressor.
Using AllPDFMagic Compress
- Go to AllPDFMagic Compress
- Upload your large PDF
- Select "High" compression for maximum reduction
- Download the smaller file
- Attach to your email
Most PDFs can be reduced by 50-80% without noticeable quality loss for screen viewing.
Other Methods to Reduce PDF Size
1. Reduce Image Quality
If your PDF contains many images, you can:
- Convert high-resolution images to lower resolution
- Change image format (TIFF → JPEG)
- Remove unnecessary images
2. Remove Embedded Fonts
PDFs often embed fonts to ensure consistent display. Removing embedded fonts can significantly reduce size, but the document may display differently on systems without those fonts.
3. Split the PDF
If compression isn't enough, split the PDF into smaller parts:
- Use AllPDFMagic Split to divide pages
- Send as multiple attachments
- Or share via cloud link
4. Use Cloud Sharing Instead
If the file is still too large:
- Upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive
- Share the link instead of attaching the file
- Recipients can view and download at their convenience
How Much Can You Reduce?
| Original Size | Compression Level | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 50 MB | High | ~10-15 MB |
| 25 MB | Medium | ~10-12 MB |
| 15 MB | Low | ~10-12 MB |
Results vary based on PDF content. Image-heavy PDFs compress better than text-heavy ones.
Tips for Creating Smaller PDFs Initially
- Optimize images before adding: Resize and compress images before including in documents
- Use "Print to PDF": Often creates smaller files than "Export to PDF"
- Avoid scanning at high DPI: 150 DPI is sufficient for most documents
- Remove hidden content: Delete unused layers and objects
Conclusion
Don't let large PDFs prevent you from sending important emails. Use AllPDFMagic Compress to quickly reduce file size and send your attachments without issues. It's free, fast, and requires no signup!