Reading on a tablet or e-reader
Academic PDFs tend to have very wide margins. Cropping them uses the whole screen and enlarges the text.
Crop PDF margins
Remove the blank margins from a PDF.
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What it is for
Cropping margins reduces the white space around the content of each page. It is aimed above all at reading on small screens, where the generous margins that look right on paper turn into wasted space.
On an e-reader or tablet the effect is striking: removing the surplus white lets the text display larger within the same screen and reads with less strain. It is the difference between an academic paper that is awkward to follow and one that is perfectly legible.
Cropping changes the visible area of the page, not the content. The text is all still there; you are simply displaying the rectangle you defined.
How it works
- Upload the PDF with blank margins you want to reduce.
- Specify how many points to trim from each side.
- Click "Process" and download the PDF with adjusted margins.
When to use it
Save paper when printing
Tighter margins fit more content per sheet, useful for long reference documents.
Clean up scans
The dark edges and black bands a scanner leaves behind disappear by cropping a few millimetres.
Practical tips
- Start with low values, between 10 and 20 points, and increase gradually while checking the result.
- An excessive value cuts text irreversibly in the generated file. Keep the original.
- Cropping applies the same value to all four sides. In bound documents, where the inner margin is wider, you will have to find a compromise.
- Page numbers and headers usually sit close to the edge: they are the first thing lost if you overdo it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trim each margin differently?
In this version the same value is applied to all four sides. If you need asymmetric margins, adjust the value and check the result.
Will I lose content if I trim too much?
Yes, a value that's too high can cut off text or images near the edge. Start with small values (10-20 points) and increase if needed.