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PDF Too Large to Email? 5 Ways to Fix It

Solve the frustrating 'attachment too large' error. Five proven methods to reduce PDF size or share large files effectively.

Published January 26, 2026

The Email Size Limit Problem

You've crafted the perfect email, attached your PDF, and... error. "Attachment too large." Most email providers have strict limits:

  • Gmail: 25MB
  • Outlook/Hotmail: 20MB
  • Yahoo Mail: 25MB
  • Corporate email: Often 10MB or less

Solution 1: Compress the PDF

The quickest fix is reducing file size. Our Compress PDF tool can significantly shrink your PDF:

  • Extreme compression: Can reduce files by up to 90%
  • Recommended: Good balance of size and quality
  • Light compression: Maintains quality for important documents

Try extreme compression first - if the quality is acceptable, you're done!

Solution 2: Split Into Multiple Parts

For very large documents, splitting the PDF into smaller parts may be the best option:

  • Split by page ranges (e.g., pages 1-20, 21-40)
  • Extract individual chapters or sections
  • Send as multiple attachments in separate emails

Solution 3: Remove Unnecessary Pages

Do you need to send the entire document? Use Remove Pages to:

  • Delete blank pages
  • Remove appendices the recipient doesn't need
  • Extract just the relevant sections

Solution 4: Convert High-Resolution Images

PDFs with many images are often huge. Consider:

  • Reducing image resolution before creating the PDF
  • Converting color images to grayscale if color isn't essential
  • Using compression on individual images

Solution 5: Use Cloud Sharing Instead

When compression isn't enough, share via cloud:

  1. Upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive
  2. Get a shareable link
  3. Email the link instead of the file

Benefits:

  • No size limits
  • Recipients always get the latest version
  • You can revoke access later
  • Track who accessed the file

Prevention: Creating Smaller PDFs

For future documents:

  • Use "Save As" with compression options in PDF software
  • Optimize images before inserting them
  • Avoid embedding fonts if not necessary
  • Use vector graphics instead of high-resolution images when possible

Recommended Tools

Try these tools to accomplish the tasks mentioned in this guide:

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