About PDF File Sizes

FAQs About PDF File Sizes

Answers to questions about PDF file sizes.

1. Is there a PDF file-size limit?

The overall file size should be kept below about 10GB, because each of the cross-reference tables which define the PDF structure uses 10 bits.

2. Is there a PDF page-count limit?

Any PDF opened by a reader must have fewer than 8,388,607 pages, because there is a limit of 8,388,607 indirect objects in a 32-bit PDF rendering application, and each page consumes at least one indirect object.

But it is important to keep in mind the portability of your PDF documents. Although your PC may open a PDF with a million pages, your mobile phone may not have the memory required to handle such a large file.

3. Should 32 bit vs. 64 bit be a consideration?

The PDF Reference (ISO 32000-1:2008) suggests that you limit integer values to 32 bit, so the file can be used on both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.
Most readers and PDF applications are 32 bit.