How to change a PDF file size in 4 easy steps.
Learn how to easily resize a PDF to fit any format in four easy steps.
Why might I need to resize a PDF?
PDFs are commonly used to view and exchange documents because they maintain formatting across a range of devices. But there may be times where you need to resize a PDF for displaying, sharing or printing. Resizing a PDF involves changing the dimensions of the file to ensure your document is formatted correctly and looks as it should.
Here are common reasons why you might need to resize a PDF:
- Printing: to fit specific paper dimensions.
- Viewing: to fit web requirements.
- Readability: to optimise for smaller screens, like smartphones.
- Storing: to save on storage space.
- Sharing: to fit within an attachment size limit.
How to resize a PDF with Adobe Acrobat.
Change the size of a PDF with Adobe Acrobat. Easily adjust a PDF size to fit your needs with these four simple steps.
Step 1: Open your PDF.
Open the PDF file you want to resize in the free Adobe Acrobat Edit a PDF tool.
Step 2: Select the page size.
- Open Adobe Acrobat, then head to File > Print.
- Select Page Size & Handling.
- Choose the Fit option to scale your PDF to the selected paper size. Or click Custom Scale to scale to a specific size.
Step 3: Adjust the page size.
- Choose from common print size options like A4, A5, or A6.
- Or manually enter your own dimensions into the width and height fields to create a custom size.
Step 4: Save your new PDF.
- When you’re happy with your new page size, click Apply or OK.
- Preview your document to make sure it looks as it should.
- Then click Save As to save your new resized PDF.
You can also change a PDF page size in other PDF editing software.
How to resize a PDF with online tools.
You can also change the size of a PDF using various online tools. Here are few options to consider:
- Crop a PDF. Trim or resize a PDF using a Crop PDF tool. Simply drag and drop your PDF into the tool, then crop as desired.
- Compress a PDF. Need to reduce the file size of your PDF? Easily compress a PDF online with the Adobe Acrobat Compress a PDF tool. Drag and drop your PDF to begin.
- Split a PDF. Separate a PDF into multiple files with the free Split PDF tool. Drag and drop a PDF into the drop zone, then use the divider lines to split the PDF into individual files.
Top tips for resizing PDFs.
Before resizing a PDF, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Always create a copy of your original PDF before resizing, so you always have a backup.
- Apply the same changes across all pages when resizing multiple documents to ensure consistency.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different dimensions / formats until you find the right fit.
- Check the formatting, text and images of your PDF before sharing / uploading to ensure everything looks clear and aligned.
Discover even more ways Adobe Acrobatcan help you professionally edit documents easily across any device.
Frequently asked questions.
Can I resize a PDF for free?
How do I reduce the file size of a PDF?
How to scale a PDF to A4?
More resources for PDF editing.
Once you’ve mastered how to change a PDF file size, here are some additional PDF resources to work with:
- Learn how to redact a PDF.
- Discover how to open an Edit a PDF on a Mac
- Find out how to scan multiple pages into one PDF
- Learn how to use an Apple Pencil on a PDF file.