How to Reduce PDF Size for Email Attachments

We have all been there: you compose an important email, attach your PDF resume, proposal, or tax document, and click send. Only to receive a bounce-back mail stating the message delivery failed because the file exceeds size limits.

Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and corporate email accounts enforce file size caps to prevent mailboxes from clogging. Here is how to compress your PDFs to ensure they slide into inboxes without issue.

Email Size Limits at a Glance

• Gmail: 25MB total limit (including email body).
• Outlook.com / Office 365: 20MB limit.
• Yahoo Mail: 25MB limit.
• Apple Mail (iCloud): 20MB limit (or Mail Drop).

Easy Ways to Reduce PDF Sizes

If your PDF is over these limits, here is how you can shrink it:

1. Optimize Resolution of Scanned Images If your PDF contains document scans, the pages are likely heavy raw image files. Compressing images from 300 DPI to 150 DPI reduces file size by up to 80% with zero visible text degradation.

2. Remove Unnecessary Pages Use our [Delete PDF Pages Tool](/delete-pdf-pages) to trim out blank sheets, index files, or terms of service pages that don't need to be attached.

3. Compress PDF Metadata Use our [Compress PDF Tool](/compress-pdf). It utilizes object stream compression to organize internal structures, removing duplicate fonts and stripping old metadata.

Walkthrough: Shrinking a PDF for Email

1. Visit the Compress PDF page.
2. Drag and drop your heavy PDF file.
3. Choose the Recommended compression setting.
4. Click Compress PDF and download. The saved file will easily fit within your email's attachment limit.

By optimizing your documents, you ensure swift delivery and save mobile data limits for your recipients. Run your heavy files through our secure, browser-based PDF Compressor before hitting send!