PDF compression guide
Gmail has attachment-size limits, and large files may be converted to Drive links instead of being sent as normal attachments. If an exact limit matters, check Google’s current Gmail help pages before sending.
Scanned PDFs, catalogues, drawings and photo-heavy documents can exceed email attachment limits quickly. Even when an email provider accepts the file, the recipient’s provider may reject it.
For a simple form or short document, try 1MB or 2MB first. Very small targets such as 100KB or 200KB can make scanned text harder to read.
If the PDF contains sensitive information, follow your organisation’s secure sharing process. Compression makes a file smaller; it does not make email a secure delivery method.
Save the compressed file separately so you still have the original document if the recipient requests a clearer version.
Google can change product behaviour over time, so check Gmail Help for the current limit when it matters. As a rule, smaller PDFs are easier to send and receive.
Yes, if it is close to the attachment limit or slow to upload. Use the largest size that the email or portal accepts to preserve quality.