Compress PDF is a free tool that reduces the file size of a PDF so it fits email attachment and upload limits. It re-saves the photos and scans inside the document at a smaller size, while text, tables and drawings stay sharp and selectable. Compression happens in your browser, so your PDF is never uploaded.
How to compress a PDF
- Choose a level: Recommended, Smallest file or No quality loss.
- Drop your PDF onto the page, or click Choose file.
- Check the new size, then click Download compressed PDF. Switch levels to compare; the file is compressed again straight away.
Which level should I choose?
- Recommended keeps photos detailed enough to print well and suits most documents.
- Smallest file lowers photo quality further and also converts large screenshots and diagrams stored without compression. Use it when a form or email has a strict size limit.
- No quality loss leaves every image untouched and only removes waste inside the file, such as leftovers from earlier edits.
Why some PDFs shrink more than others
Almost all of a large PDF’s size comes from images. A scanned contract or a brochure full of photos can often be made 50–90% smaller. A PDF exported from Word with only text is already compact, and there is little to remove. If compressing wouldn’t make your file smaller, the tool says so and your original is kept.
Tips for hitting a size limit
- Remove pages you don’t need first with Delete PDF Pages.
- For a PDF made from phone photos, shrink the photos with the Image Compressor before turning them into a PDF with JPG to PDF.
- Several small PDFs can be combined afterwards with Merge PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on what’s inside. PDFs made from photos or scans often shrink by 50–90%. PDFs that are mostly text are usually small already, so they shrink much less.
Will the text become blurry?
No. Only photos and scanned images are compressed. Text, lines and shapes are stored as instructions rather than pixels, and they are left exactly as they are, so text stays sharp, selectable and searchable.
Why didn’t my PDF get smaller?
It may already be well compressed, or it may contain no photos. Try “Smallest file” for more savings. If the result would be bigger than your original, the tool tells you instead of giving you a worse file.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The PDF is compressed inside your browser, on your own device, so confidential documents never leave your computer or phone.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
Remove the password in your PDF app first. Protected files can’t be opened without it.
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