Steps
Combine your files in the right order
Add your PDFs, Word documents (.docx) and photos (JPG, PNG, WebP or iPhone HEIC) and put them in order with the up and down arrows. Each photo becomes one page, and each Word document is laid out as PDF pages. That layout is simplified, so check it before you send, and use Word's own Save as PDF if the exact layout matters. You can type a page range for any PDF (for example 1-3, 5) to include only part of it. Check the order before you merge: page numbers in the next step follow it. Fill in any form fields before merging, because form fields and bookmarks may not be carried over.
Add page numbers
The format is set to "Page 1 of 10" style, at the bottom centre. To leave a cover page unnumbered, type 2- in Number these pages and keep Start at number at 1. Open the result and check that the numbers do not cover any footer text; raise the margin if they do.
Compress to a target size (optional)
Skip this step if the file is already small enough. Otherwise choose a target below the limit of the place you are sending it to: the list includes 25, 20, 10 and 5 MB for email as well as smaller sizes for upload forms. Sizes here are decimal (1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes), and a file that already fits is returned unchanged. Compare the before and after pages, and if small print becomes hard to read, choose a larger target or send the file as a link instead.
Requirements and sources
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail - attachment size limit (personal accounts) | For personal Gmail accounts, the limit is 25 MB. | Send attachments with your Gmail message - Gmail Help Last verified 2026-10-21 |
| Gmail - what happens above the limit | Gmail automatically removes the attachment and adds it as a Google Drive link in the email. | Send attachments with your Gmail message - Gmail Help Last verified 2026-10-21 |
| Outlook.com - email size limit | The size limit for an email in Outlook.com is 25 MB. This includes all text, inserted and attached files. | Unable to attach files in Outlook.com - Microsoft Support Last verified 2026-10-21 |
| Outlook.com - OneDrive links | Links to files from OneDrive do not count towards the email size limit, but the linked file size limit is 2GB. | Unable to attach files in Outlook.com - Microsoft Support Last verified 2026-10-21 |
| iCloud Mail - message size | The size of incoming and outgoing messages (20MB, up to 5GB with Mail Drop turned on) | Mailbox size and message sending limits in iCloud - Apple Support Last verified 2026-10-21 |
| Yahoo Mail - total attachments per message | must not exceed 25MB in total file size | Message size limits in Yahoo Mail - Yahoo Help Last verified 2026-10-21 |
FAQ
Can I combine a Word document, a PDF and some photos into one PDF?
Yes, in two stages. The merge step accepts PDFs only, so first save the Word document as a PDF (Word to PDF, or File > Save As > PDF in Word) and turn the photos into a PDF with Images to PDF or Scan to PDF. Then merge all the PDFs here, number the pages and compress if needed.
Will merging reduce the quality of my pages?
No. Merging copies each page as it is, so text stays selectable and images are not re-compressed. Quality can only change in the optional compress step: it first tries a lossless re-save, keeps text-only pages as text where the size allows, and turns pages with scans or photos into JPEG images only when that is needed to reach the target.
What target size should I pick for email?
Stay clearly under your email service's limit. Gmail and Outlook.com list 25 MB and iCloud Mail 20 MB, and the limit can include the message text and every attachment together. Attachments are also encoded for sending, which makes them somewhat larger in transit than the file on your device, so leave room. The receiving mail server may accept less than your provider sends.
How do I keep the cover page without a number?
In the page numbers step, type 2- in Number these pages. With Start at number set to 1, the second page shows 1; set it to 2 if the second page should show 2.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. The PDF library is downloaded to your browser and all three steps read and write the files on your device. The size limit is your device's memory, not a server quota.
BufferMint is not affiliated with Google, Microsoft, Apple or Yahoo. Attachment limits are set by each service and can change; check their help page before you send. Files are processed in your browser and are not uploaded.