Compress a PDF for ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal
ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal takes PDFs up to 1 MB. PDF Desk shrinks yours to just under it, right in this tab.
Max 1 MBPDF
Files stay on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal (AAMC) upload limits
| Document | Max size | Min size | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letter of recommendation (letter writer upload) No encryption, password protection or digital signatures; page size 8.5 x 11 in. AAMC elsewhere describes 1 MB as 1,000 KB, so aim below 1000 KB. | 1 MB | — |
Where this number comes from
“If you are struggling to meet the 1 MB file size limit, please try using a black and white document.”
— LoR Portal FAQ | AAMC, © 2026. Checked October 2026.
PDF Desk aims at 993 KB, a little under the limit, because some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
If the file will not get small enough
Scan in black and white at 150 DPI instead of colour. Remove blank and duplicate pages with Delete pages. If the portal allows several files, cut the PDF with Split PDF and upload the parts.
Other portals in United States
Limits of other portals
Questions
What is the maximum PDF size for ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal?
Letter of recommendation (letter writer upload): 1 MB. Source: aamc.org, checked October 2026.
ERAS Letter of Recommendation Portal still rejects my PDF. Why?
Check that it is not password-protected, that the file name has no special characters, and that it is a few percent under the limit — some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
Are my PDFs uploaded?
No. PDF Desk opens and writes the file with JavaScript inside your browser tab. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is safe for contracts, IDs and bank statements.