How to Share Large PDF Files via Email?

Many email providers cap attachments at 25MB, making it tricky to send large PDF documents. But don’t worry, I'll let you in on a few tips.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to email large PDF files easily, step-by-step, so let's get into it.

Why Do Large PDF Files Cause Problems?

Email platforms often limit attachment sizes for speed and storage reasons. If your PDF exceeds this limit, the email won’t go through. This makes large contracts, presentations, or scanned documents challenging to share.

But don't fret! With Smallpdf, you can compress large PDF files for email, split them into smaller sections, or create shareable links if needed.

Here’s exactly how to send a large PDF via email the easy way.

Step 1. Compress Your PDF File

The fastest way to handle a large PDF is to make it smaller. Smallpdf’s Compress PDF tool allows you to reduce file size in seconds without compromising quality.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the Compress PDF.
2. Drag and drop your large PDF file into the tool (or click “Choose Files” to upload).
3. Select your compression level:

• Basic Compression: Good for standard file reduction.
• Strong Compression: For maximum file size reduction.

4. Click the “Compress” button, and voilà! Your file is ready.
5. Download the compressed PDF to your device.

Pro tip: Most emails support attachments up to 25MB. If your PDF is under this limit, you’re good to go.

Step 2. Split or Merge PDFs (If Needed)

If compressing isn’t enough, you might need to split your large PDF into smaller parts or combine multiple files into one.

Split PDFs

For large documents, split them into smaller, manageable files: 1. Open the Split PDF. 2. Drag your PDF into the tool. 3. Choose how to split the file:

• Extract specific pages.
• Split every page into separate files.

4. Click “Split PDF”, then download the new files.

Merge PDFs

If you have several PDFs that need combining: 1. Visit the Merge PDF. 2. Upload all the PDFs you want to combine. 3. Drag and arrange them in the desired order. 4. Click “Merge PDF” and download your unified document. Splitting and merging are especially useful if the compressed file is still too large for emailing.

Step 3. Email Your PDF File

Once your file is optimized, attaching it to an email is easy.

If Your File is Small Enough: 1. Open your email platform (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, etc.). 2. Compose a new email. 3. Attach the PDF by clicking the paperclip icon and selecting the file. 4. Double-check the recipient’s email address and subject line. 5. Hit “Send.”

If Your File is STILL Too Large:

Use a cloud service to share your file: 1. Upload the file to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. 2. Generate a shareable link for the file. Make sure permissions are set to “Anyone with the link can view/download.” 3. Paste the link into your email message, alongside a brief explanation. Using a cloud-based link solves most size issues and ensures your recipient can access the file without problems.

Streamline Document Sharing with Smallpdf

With Smallpdf, how to email large PDF files becomes a breeze. Compress, split, merge, or create shareable links effortlessly. And the best part? You can manage all of these tasks from any device.

Optimize your PDFs and never worry about file size limits again.

FAQs About Sending Large PDF Files

How do I send a large PDF through email?

Start by compressing the file using our Compress PDF. If it’s still too large, share a downloadable link via a cloud storage platform.

What to do if a PDF is too large to send?

Compress the PDF, split it into smaller sections, or send it as a shareable link through a cloud service.

How do I send large PDF files via Gmail?

Compress the file or upload it to Google Drive and share the link. Gmail lets you attach files up to 25MB or send larger files via Drive.

How do I compress a PDF that is too large?

Use Smallpdf’s Compress PDF tool. Drag your file into the tool, choose a compression level, and download your smaller PDF.