File limits and supported formats

ihatepdf limits depend on the selected tool, file size, page count, and document complexity.

This page lists the specific limits and explains why one file processes immediately while another is better split, compressed, or simplified first.

Up to 200 MB per file

Each uploaded file must be 200 MB or smaller. If the file is larger, compress it first or split it into parts.

Up to 20 files per task

A single task can include up to 20 files with a combined size of up to 500 MB.

Results kept for 120 minutes

Uploaded files and generated results are automatically deleted 120 minutes after processing finishes.

If processing fails, reduce or split

When a file does not pass, try compressing, splitting the document, or choosing a more appropriate tool.

File and task limits

  • Maximum size of one file: 200 MB.
  • Maximum number of files per task: 20.
  • Maximum total size of all files in one task: 500 MB.
  • Results are stored for 120 minutes after processing finishes and then deleted automatically.
  • Page limits depend on the tool and are shown in the upload interface.

Request rate limits

  • Creating and starting tasks: 30 requests per minute per IP.
  • File uploads: 10 requests per minute per session.
  • Active tasks per session: up to 3.
  • Queued tasks per session: up to 10.

Supported formats

  • PDF tools (merge, split, compress, rotate, organize, sign, protect, unlock, annotate, edit): input PDF, output PDF.
  • PDF to images (PDF to JPG): input PDF, output JPG — one image per page.
  • Images to PDF (JPG to PDF, HEIC to JPG, scans to PDF): input JPG, PNG, HEIC; output PDF or JPG.
  • PDF to Office (PDF to Word, PDF to Excel, PDF to PowerPoint): input PDF, output DOCX, XLSX, PPTX.
  • Office to PDF (Word to PDF, Excel to PDF, PowerPoint to PDF, HTML to PDF): input DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, HTML; output PDF.
  • OCR and text recognition (OCR PDF, PDF to text): input PDF (especially scans), output searchable PDF or TXT.
  • PDF/A and archiving (PDF to PDF/A): input PDF, output PDF/A-1b or PDF/A-2b.

Why a file might not process

  • File is over 200 MB — compress or split it first.
  • File format is not supported by the selected tool.
  • PDF is password-protected — unlock it before processing.
  • Corrupted PDF structure — try Repair PDF first.
  • Too many pages for the selected operation.
  • Server is temporarily under high load — try again in a moment.

What to do when processing fails

  • Split a large PDF into parts and process them one at a time.
  • Compress the document before trying another operation.
  • Remove unnecessary pages.
  • Choose a more appropriate tool for the task.
  • Check that the format is actually supported.

Format-specific notes

  • Office conversion (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx): complex formatting, multi-column layouts, and tables may not transfer perfectly — always check the output.
  • HTML to PDF: stylesheets and external resources (fonts, images) must be available during conversion; dynamic JavaScript content is not loaded.
  • OCR: recognition quality depends on scan quality, text sharpness, and image resolution. 150–200 DPI or higher is recommended.
  • HEIC: Apple photo format; converted to JPG for further processing.
  • PDF/A: strict archival format — PDF with embedded fonts, no external links, no JavaScript. Suitable for long-term document storage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum file size?

Each file can be up to 200 MB and the total size of a task up to 500 MB.

How long are results kept?

Files are automatically deleted 120 minutes after processing finishes.

What should I do if the file does not pass?

Try compressing or splitting the file, or choose a more appropriate tool for the task.

Back to the main sections

After checking limits, go back to the catalog, open FAQ, or contact support about a specific error.