Updated May 20, 2025 • 8–10 min read
Overview: Why 100 KB Still Matters
Sometimes a form won’t let you submit because your PDF is “too large.” If you’re uploading to a government or legal portal, or sending via email with strict gateways, you’ve probably seen limits such as 100 KB. When compression alone won’t cut it — or when you only need part of a document — the fastest fix is Split by Size.
- Use Split by Size to automatically create multiple PDFs each under your chosen limit (e.g., 100 KB).
- Perfect for strict upload portals where compression still isn’t small enough.
- No guesswork — you set the size, the tool handles the rest.
- Quality is preserved because you’re dividing pages, not over-compressing images.
Step-by-Step: Get a PDF Under 100 KB with Split by Size
- Open the Split PDF tool.
- Choose Split by Size (enter your limit, e.g., 100 KB).
- Upload your PDF (drag & drop supported).
- Click Split PDF and wait a few seconds.
- Download the resulting files — each one will be under the target size.
When to Use Split by Size Instead of Compression
- Your source file is large: For PDFs over 50 MB, even strong compression may not reach <100 KB. Splitting ensures each output meets the cap.
- You only need certain pages: If a portal asks for specific sections, split a subset and send just what’s needed.
- Quality must be preserved: Heavy compression can blur scans or photos. Splitting keeps the original quality.
- You want predictable results: Compression is approximate; splitting by a hard size limit is deterministic.
Why Portals Enforce Tiny Limits
Many government and legal sites still run on older infrastructure designed for low bandwidth. Their upload handlers often cap files at sizes such as 100–300 KB to ensure compatibility and quick processing. You’ll see this on visa portals, identity submissions, e-filing systems, or legacy email gateways.
What Exactly Is “Split by Size”?
Split by Size takes your PDF and creates multiple smaller PDFs that each respect the maximum you provide (e.g., 100 KB). It doesn’t degrade content. Instead, it reorganizes the document into several parts that all pass the upload requirement.
- You set the cap: Choose any limit (KB/MB) and the tool targets it.
- No quality loss: Pages remain intact; images and text aren’t re-encoded aggressively.
- Original layout preserved: The output segments look identical to the original pages.
- One-and-done: Skip trial-and-error with compression sliders.
Need Guaranteed Under 100 KB?
Split by Size gives predictable results with no quality surprises.
Use Split PDF NowCompression Still Helps — Here’s When to Use It
Compression is great when you must keep a single file, or when your document is only slightly above the limit. Try:
- Online compression — quick, no install.
- Desktop tools — Adobe Acrobat (File → Save As Other → Optimized PDF), Preview on Mac (Export → Quartz Filter → Reduce File Size), or third-party tools.
- Image preparation — resize large images before exporting to PDF (150–300 DPI is usually enough).
Pro Workflow: Combine Compression + Split by Size
- First, run Compress PDF to get a reasonable baseline.
- Then, run Split by Size to guarantee every output file is under 100 KB.
This two-step workflow minimizes how many parts you end up with while ensuring each part meets the limit.
Important Things to Check
- Very short PDFs: If your file is 1–2 pages and still over 100 KB, compression is often better than splitting.
- Image-heavy documents: Try compression first; splitting may still produce segments above 100 KB if a single page has a huge image.
- Verify content after splitting: Ensure all required pages ended up in the outputs you plan to upload.
- File naming: Name outputs clearly (e.g., application_part1.pdf, application_part2.pdf).
Use Cases Where <100 KB Is Common
- Government portals: Identity, licensing, and tax submissions.
- Visa applications: Embassies and immigration systems with strict caps.
- Legal platforms: E-filing or evidence systems prioritizing small attachments.
- Legacy email gateways: Old size filters that reject larger attachments.
Quality & Security Considerations
- Keep originals: Always save a copy before optimizing.
- Use secure tools: Prefer HTTPS and tools that auto-delete uploads. For sensitive docs, use offline tools.
- Check readability: If a page is a scan, avoid over-compressing; use splitting or OCR if needed.
FAQ
How do I guarantee a PDF is under 100 KB?
Use Split by Size. Set the limit (100 KB) and the tool outputs multiple files that each stay below the cap. If you need a single file, compress first and export at lower resolution.
Will splitting harm quality?
No. Splitting divides pages into separate PDFs without changing how they look. Compression changes encoding; splitting does not.
What if one page alone exceeds 100 KB?
Compress that page (e.g., reduce image DPI or use OCR), then split again. Image-only scans are the usual culprit.
Can I email multiple split files?
Yes. Most portals accept multi-file uploads. If only one file is allowed, compress more aggressively or combine text-only pages.
Finish Faster: Pick the Right Tool
Compression is perfect for a single file. Split by Size guarantees strict caps like 100 KB.
Split by Size Compress PDFConclusion
Strict upload limits don’t have to slow you down. If compression isn’t enough — or you only need to submit part of a document — Split by Size is the most reliable way to meet a 100 KB cap while preserving quality and layout. Use compression first when you need a single file, then split to guarantee the final size.
Written by the PDF Convert Easy Editorial Team