PDF Ready

500 KB exact target

Compress a PDF to 500 KB on Android

500 KB is still strict, but it gives more room than 300 KB for simple scans, certificates, and short evidence documents when the destination allows it.

Install PDF Ready on Google Play Prepare your PDF before upload
Android-first On-device by default Review before clean export

Why choose 500 KB

  • Use 500 KB when 300 KB damages readability but the portal still requires a small file.
  • It can preserve more detail in stamps, signatures, and scan texture.
  • It is a GENERAL exact-size target unless a destination specifically names it.

Good candidates

  • One or two clean document pages.
  • A certificate or letter where small text must remain readable.
  • A passport or ID scan when the portal allows more than 300 KB.

Review before clean export

  • Check that the file is under the target and still readable.
  • Compare against 300 KB only if the destination truly requires the smaller cap.
  • Keep the original available so you can prepare another version.

When to choose 1 MB instead

  • If fine text or seals are marginal at 500 KB, use 1 MB when allowed.
  • If OCR is needed, a larger target may be more realistic.
  • If the destination is CEAC or IRCC, use the portal-specific guidance first.

Real Android capture

Compress a PDF to 500 KB on Android size selection in PDF Ready

PDF Ready size selector showing the 500 KB target selected
Choose the 500 KB target, then reopen the selector to confirm it is selected.
PDF Ready Prepare screen with GENERAL and 500 KB selected
Prepare shows GENERAL with 500 KB selected before creating the new version.

Next steps

Related PDF Ready guides

FAQ

Common questions

When is 500 KB better than 300 KB?

When the portal allows 500 KB and the 300 KB result is too blurry or loses important details.

Does 500 KB guarantee a readable scan?

No. It gives more room than 300 KB, but readability still depends on the source file and page content.

Should I use 500 KB for CEAC?

No. CEAC guidance is a 2 MB workflow. Use the CEAC page unless your destination explicitly gives a different limit.

Ready on Android

Prepare your PDF before upload

Install PDF Ready, prepare the document, review the result, and export the clean copy only when it is ready.

Install PDF Ready on Google Play

Note: PDF Ready prepares PDFs for upload workflows, but a destination can reject a PDF for reasons beyond file size.