Guides / Combined upload limits: why small files still add up

Combined upload limits: why small files still add up

Twenty files of 400 KB each sound small, yet together they are 8 MB. Combined limits catch people out because the total is what counts.

Do the sum first

Add the exact byte size of every file. File managers often round sizes, so use bytes if you can. Compare the sum with the portal's limit expressed in bytes.

Leave a margin

Some portals count slightly differently from your computer, for example by including form data or measuring in MiB. A small margin (1–2%) protects you from being rejected by a few hundred bytes. FileMending uses a 2% margin by default and lets you change it.

Separate files, not a ZIP

Zipping rarely helps with scans because JPEG images inside PDFs are already compressed. Also, many portals only accept PDF or image types, not archives. FileMending fits separate files, which is what most application portals expect.

Share the savings wisely

Not every file needs the same treatment. A one-page letter can be compressed more than a photo ID where fine print matters. A fitting tool should spend its quality budget where it costs the least, and you should be able to protect important files.

Keep names and order

Portals often show files in the order you uploaded them, and reviewers may rely on file names. Keep both unchanged.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum number of files FileMending handles?

Up to 20 files per upload, in PDF, JPG or PNG format.

Does FileMending merge my files?

No. It keeps separate files, with your names and order.

Why is my total over the limit when each file is small?

Because the portal adds them up. Ten files of 1.2 MB total 12 MB.

Updated 2026-10-12. General information, not legal advice. Always check the requirements of the portal or office you are uploading to.