What does Crop PDF do?
Crop PDF is a free online tool that can crop PDF page margins using Ghostscript. The PDF result from Crop PDF is a separate copy to inspect before you use it elsewhere. One possible use is wide margins reduced for comfortable tablet reading.
PDF cropping changes the page crop box using coordinates expressed in points. The settings describe left, bottom, right and top coordinates, not percentages or four amounts to shave off.
A narrower viewing box can remove unwanted margins from the displayed page. It should be planned around the actual source size: the defaults describe a rectangle 612 points wide and 792 points high, which may not match your file.
PDF points are units of page size. There are 72 points in one inch.
The bottom edge is the origin for these box coordinates. Write down the rectangle before starting.
A larger page may need a different box. Keep the crop away from notes that sit near the edge.
For page framing adjusted before another presentation step, choose a copy whose source content suits that purpose. Keep a local source for another trial.
Crop PDF page margins online: steps
Before using Crop PDF, decide what the new copy must contain and where it will be used. Measure a safe rectangle that includes all required content, including footnotes, labels and page numbers. Review the upload area and all values required by the current Crop PDF form.
Choose the source
Check whether footnotes reach beyond the chosen box. For Crop PDF, choose one source from your device. Keep a source copy for another attempt.
Review the form values
Left margin (pt) controls a value used by Crop PDF. The starting Left margin (pt) value is 0.
Bottom margin (pt) controls a value used by Crop PDF. The starting Bottom margin (pt) value is 0.
Right margin (pt) controls a value used by Crop PDF. The starting Right margin (pt) value is 612.
Top margin (pt) controls a value used by Crop PDF. The starting Top margin (pt) value is 792.
Run the file task
Use Process Crop PDF after checking the source and form values. Wait for the job to finish. An error means this attempt failed.
Save and check the output
Check every page edge in the output, with special attention to differently sized pages and full-width tables. Store the output on your device. Name this copy separately from the original.
Trim margins: uses for Crop PDF
Crop PDF can help with scanner-edge artifacts hidden from ordinary viewing. It can also be used for slides cropped to focus on their usable area. The PDF result from Crop PDF must suit the intended reading or editing step, so keep the source until that check is complete.
- Wide margins reduced for comfortable tablet reading.
- Scanner-edge artifacts hidden from ordinary viewing.
- Slides cropped to focus on their usable area.
- Page framing adjusted before another presentation step.
Formats and limits for Crop PDF
The Crop PDF form accepts PDF sources. Each Crop PDF upload can be up to 300 MB, which equals 300 MiB. The allowed suffixes on the Crop PDF page do not prove that a source has valid content inside it.
| Accepted formats | Maximum file size | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 300 MB per file (300 MiB upload limit) |
Cropping is a display-boundary task and is unsuitable as proof of secure redaction. Content outside a crop box may remain in the file.
How this tool works
Crop PDF uses Ghostscript to handle the source on the server. The Crop PDF request uses your chosen input rather than any local editing project left on your device. Check the PDF contents produced by Crop PDF before treating them as ready for another app or reader.
For Crop PDF, your browser uploads the source to our file-processing server. This is a server task, not local editing.
Files are due for deletion within 1 hour. Cleanup runs during normal service operation. Keep a local download for future use.
Crop PDF questions and answers
If Crop PDF gives an unexpected result, start by checking the source type and the values used in the form. Check the PDF contents from Crop PDF as well as the filename or displayed message. For another result type, compare Crop PDF with the separate tools described in these answers.
What matters when using Crop PDF?
Look for table columns hidden at the new right edge. View that area at its intended display size. Note any differences that affect your purpose.
Why try Change PDF Page Size?
Change PDF Page Size offers another task beside Crop PDF: resize PDF pages to A4, Letter, or custom size. Change PDF Page Size returns PDF. The stated PDF output from Crop PDF matches a listed input type for Change PDF Page Size.
Why try PDF to PNG?
PDF to PNG offers another task beside Crop PDF: convert all PDF pages to PNG images (zipped). PDF to PNG returns ZIP. The stated PDF output from Crop PDF matches a listed input type for PDF to PNG.
Why try Extract PDF Pages?
Extract PDF Pages offers another task beside Crop PDF: extract specific pages to a new PDF. Extract PDF Pages returns PDF. The stated PDF output from Crop PDF matches a listed input type for Extract PDF Pages.
What if my PDF result does not open?
For a failed Crop PDF result, first confirm that the download completed and that the viewer supports PDF. Try another local viewer for that format.
Record any error message for support. Keep private source material out of the report.
How do I report a problem with Crop PDF?
Contact support with the Crop PDF page name, source format and the error you saw. Mention any relevant form settings you chose. Do not send passwords or private attachments.