How to Resize a PDF: A Comprehensive Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions

PDF (Portable Document Format) files are ubiquitous in our digital world, used for everything from official documents to creative portfolios. However, the rigid nature of PDFs can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it comes to resizing. Whether you need to make a PDF smaller for easier sharing or larger for better readability, knowing how to resize a PDF is a valuable skill. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to resize your PDFs effectively, covering both online and offline tools, and addressing different resizing needs.

Why Resize a PDF?

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s briefly discuss the ‘why.’ There are several reasons why you might need to resize a PDF:

• Reducing File Size for Sharing: Large PDF files can be cumbersome to email or upload to online platforms. Resizing, primarily by reducing resolution, can significantly decrease file size, making sharing much easier.
• Optimizing for Web Uploads: Many websites have file size limits for uploads. Resizing your PDF can help you meet these requirements.
• Improving Readability on Different Devices: A PDF that looks great on a desktop monitor might be too small to read comfortably on a smartphone. Resizing can adjust the content to fit different screen sizes.
• Printing on Different Paper Sizes: You might need to print a PDF document on a smaller or larger paper size than it was originally designed for. Resizing can help ensure proper formatting.
• Specific Formatting Requirements: Some platforms or publications may have specific PDF size or dimension requirements.

Understanding these reasons will help you choose the most appropriate resizing method for your specific needs.

Understanding PDF Resizing

It’s crucial to understand that ‘resizing’ a PDF can mean different things. We need to distinguish between:

• Changing Dimensions (Width and Height): This involves altering the actual size of the PDF pages, measured in units like inches or pixels. This is what people often think of as resizing when they want a document to physically be bigger or smaller on the screen or when printed. This can involve stretching or compressing the content.
• Reducing File Size (Compression): This involves reducing the overall data size of the PDF without necessarily altering its dimensions. This is often achieved by reducing image resolution or removing unnecessary data. This makes the file take up less disk space.
• Adjusting Display Size (Zoom): This refers to how the PDF appears on your screen when viewed, which is typically controlled via a zoom level. This is a view setting and doesn’t alter the actual PDF file.

In this guide, we’ll primarily focus on changing dimensions and reducing file size.

Methods to Resize a PDF

There are several ways to resize a PDF, each with its own pros and cons. We will explore both online and offline methods.

1. Resizing a PDF Using Online Tools

Online PDF resizing tools are convenient, readily accessible, and often free. Here’s how to resize your PDF using them:

General Steps (May vary slightly between different tools)

1. Choose an Online PDF Resizing Tool: Search for “online PDF resizer” on Google. Popular options include iLovePDF, Smallpdf, Soda PDF, and PDF2Go. Choose one that you find user-friendly and trustworthy. Be cautious about uploading sensitive documents to unfamiliar websites.
2. Upload Your PDF: Most tools will have a clear “Upload” or “Select File” button. Click it and navigate to the PDF you want to resize.
3. Select Resizing Options:

   Here, you may encounter different options depending on the tool:

   • Dimensions: Some tools allow you to specify the desired width and height, either in absolute measurements (inches, millimeters, pixels) or as a percentage of the original size. You may have options for maintaining aspect ratio or not.
   • Compression Level: Most tools offer different compression levels (e.g., low, medium, high). Higher compression leads to a smaller file size but can slightly reduce image quality. Choose the level that best balances file size and quality. Look for options that specify DPI (Dots Per Inch) for image quality.
   • Specific Page Selection: Some tools allow you to resize only specific pages instead of the entire document. This could be useful if, for example, only the last page is large.
   • Paper Size Presets: Many tools provide presets for standard paper sizes such as A4, Letter, and Legal.

   Select the options based on your resizing needs. If you are reducing the size for web upload, pay attention to the file size limit.

4. Resize the PDF: Once you’ve selected your options, click the “Resize,” “Compress,” or equivalent button. The tool will process your PDF, which may take some time depending on the file size.
5. Download the Resized PDF: After processing, most tools will provide a download link or button. Download the resized PDF to your computer.

Specific Examples of Online PDF Resizing Tools

Let’s look at how to resize a PDF using some popular online tools:

a. iLovePDF

iLovePDF is a well-regarded suite of online PDF tools. To resize using iLovePDF:

1. Go to iLovePDF Resize PDF.
2. Click the “Select PDF file” button and choose your PDF from your device.
3. You’ll then see a number of resize options that allow you to reduce the size of your PDF, including ‘Compress PDF’ that offers different compression levels, and also tools for ‘Crop PDF’ which can resize the canvas, and a ‘Resize Page’ tool that alters the page size specifically. Choose your relevant option and then change the settings to match your requirement.
4. Once selected, click “Resize PDF” and wait for processing.
5. Finally download the resized document.

b. Smallpdf

Smallpdf is another excellent online PDF tool with a user-friendly interface. To resize using Smallpdf:

1. Go to Smallpdf Compress PDF.
2. Click the “Choose Files” button and select your PDF from your device.
3. Select a compression option. ‘Basic Compression’ is free, whereas ‘Strong Compression’ is part of the paid version.
4. Click “Compress”.
5. Download your resized PDF.

c. Soda PDF

Soda PDF offers a suite of online and desktop tools. For online resizing:

1. Go to Soda PDF Compress PDF.
2. Click the “Choose File” button to upload your PDF.
3. Select compression level and other resizing options if available.
4. Click “Compress PDF”.
5. Download the resized PDF.

Pros of Using Online Tools:

• Convenience: No software installation is required.
• Accessibility: You can use them on any device with a web browser.
• Often Free: Many online tools offer basic resizing features for free.

Cons of Using Online Tools:

• Security Concerns: Uploading sensitive documents to third-party websites might pose a security risk.
• Internet Dependency: Requires a stable internet connection.
• Limited Advanced Features: Some advanced features might require a paid subscription.

2. Resizing a PDF Using Desktop Software

If you prefer offline solutions or require more advanced features, using desktop software is the way to go. Here are some options:

a. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is the industry standard for PDF editing and manipulation. It offers robust features for resizing PDFs.

Steps for Resizing with Acrobat Pro DC:

1. Open Your PDF: Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and open the PDF you wish to resize.
2. Access Print Production Tools (for dimensions): Go to the menu, select “File,” then select “Print Production,” then select “Preflight”. Click the wrench icon at the top of the window, then click “Pages”. There are numerous fix options that can resize your PDF such as “Scale pages to fit page size”, which will allow you to select a new page size and make your content fit on that new sized page, or “Scale pages to custom size” which will allow you to resize to specific dimensions. Select your chosen sizing option.
3. Access Optimize PDF Tool (for file size): Go to “File” and then “Save as Other”. Then choose “Reduced Size PDF…”. This will bring up a “Make Compatible With” option that allows you to choose how compatible your document will be with different versions of Acrobat. Choose your option, press OK, and it will resize the file accordingly.
4. Save or Export: Save the changes by going to “File” and then “Save” or export the newly resized PDF by going to “File”, “Save As”, and selecting a new file name/location.

Pros of Acrobat Pro DC:

• Comprehensive Features: Offers a wide range of resizing and editing tools.
• Reliability: Industry-standard software with a high level of stability.
• Professional Results: Provides excellent quality output.

Cons of Acrobat Pro DC:

• Cost: It requires a paid subscription.
• Complexity: The user interface can be complex for beginners.

b. Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit PDF Editor is a more affordable alternative to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC that still offers robust PDF editing and resizing capabilities.

Steps for Resizing with Foxit PDF Editor:

1. Open Your PDF: Launch Foxit PDF Editor and open your PDF.
2. Select Page Layout (for dimensions): Go to the “Organize” tab, then click “Page Layout” to change paper size or change individual page sizes. Alternatively use the “Resize pages” feature within the same tab.
3. Select Reduce File Size (for file size): Go to the “File” tab, select “Save As”, then “Reduced Size PDF”. Choose your version compatibility as desired.
4. Save or Export: Save the changes to the existing file or export a new file to a chosen location.

Pros of Foxit PDF Editor:

• Affordability: It’s generally less expensive than Adobe Acrobat.
• Good Feature Set: Offers most of the necessary PDF editing and resizing features.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easier to learn and navigate than Adobe Acrobat.

Cons of Foxit PDF Editor:

• Not as Feature-Rich as Acrobat Pro: While good, it might lack some of the advanced features found in Adobe Acrobat.

c. Preview (macOS)

If you are a macOS user, Preview is a built-in application that can also be used to resize a PDF, although its feature set is less comprehensive than other dedicated PDF editors.

Steps for Resizing with Preview:

1. Open Your PDF: Open your PDF file using Preview.
2. Change the Paper Size (for dimensions): Go to “File” then select “Print”, then click the “Paper Size” dropdown menu. Choose the new size you wish to resize to, and then save it as a new PDF with your chosen paper size.
3. Reduce File Size (for file size): Go to “File”, select “Export as PDF…”, then click the “Quartz Filter” dropdown and choose “Reduce File Size”. Then save the new file.

Pros of Preview:

• Free and Built-In: No additional software is required on macOS.
• Simple to Use: Easy to learn, even for beginners.
• Fast: Operates efficiently.

Cons of Preview:

• Limited Feature Set: Less powerful than dedicated PDF editors.
• Fewer Resizing Options: Limited functionality for precise resizing.

d. LibreOffice Draw (Open Source)

LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite, and LibreOffice Draw can be used to resize PDF documents. The PDF needs to be imported into Draw, and then resized before exporting.

Steps for Resizing with LibreOffice Draw:

1. Open Your PDF: Open your PDF file using LibreOffice Draw.
2. Change the Page Size (for dimensions): Go to the “Format” menu, then select “Page”, or right click in the main document window and then select “Page Properties”. Then go to the “Page” tab, and change the page size to the desired new size.
3. Export as PDF: Go to “File” and then “Export As”, then select “Export as PDF…”.
4. Set DPI: When exporting the PDF, choose a DPI that reduces the file size by reducing image quality. This option can be found under the “General” tab in the PDF options window that appears after selecting “Export as PDF”.

Pros of LibreOffice Draw:

• Free and Open-Source: No additional software is required.
• Multiplatform: Available for many operating systems.
• Powerful Feature Set: Draw is a capable editor, and allows for good resizing.

Cons of LibreOffice Draw:

• Indirect Method: Resizing through Draw means the PDF needs to be imported and exported.
• May affect Document Layout: Resizing the document may affect the document’s layout.

Tips for Effective PDF Resizing

• Backup Your Original File: Always create a backup of your original PDF file before resizing. This will prevent loss of data in case something goes wrong.
• Experiment with Different Settings: Try out different resizing settings to find the best balance between file size and quality.
• Consider Your Needs: Choose the method and tool that best suits your specific requirements.
• Check the Result: Always preview the resized PDF to ensure it meets your expectations.
• Be Cautious About Online Tools: Be careful when using online tools to resize sensitive documents. Opt for reputable websites or use offline software.
• Consider DPI: DPI (dots per inch) is a measure of print quality. The higher the DPI, the better the print quality, but also the larger the filesize. If you are reducing file size, choose a lower DPI as this will be useful when you are not using the file for print. A DPI of 72 is usually suitable for web display, whereas a DPI of 300 is good for print.

Conclusion

Resizing a PDF is a common task that can be accomplished through various methods. Whether you choose online tools for convenience or desktop software for more advanced features, understanding the different options available will help you resize your PDFs effectively. Remember to back up your original files, experiment with settings, and always preview your resized PDFs to ensure they meet your needs. This guide should give you the skills to tackle a range of resizing tasks, whether you are reducing size for web display, or resizing to fit a new page size.