Compress PDF
Reduce PDF file size while keeping it readable. Pick how hard to squeeze.
"Attachment too large." Not anymore.
How to use Compress PDF
- 1
Drop in the PDF that's too big.
- 2
Choose a compression level. Recommended suits most files.
- 3
Compare the before and after size, then download.
Two ways we shrink a PDF
First we optimise the file's internal structure, which removes waste without touching any content. Then we try re-encoding each page as a compressed image. You get whichever result is smaller, and we tell you which method won.
The trade-off to know about
If the image method wins, text is no longer selectable or searchable. That's usually fine for scans and photo-heavy files. For text documents, Light compression or the structural result keeps text intact.
Want the details? How to compress a PDF (and actually make it smaller) · PDF compression explained: lossless vs lossy
Questions people actually ask
How much smaller will my PDF get?
Scanned and image-heavy PDFs often shrink by 50–90%. Text-only PDFs are already small and may barely change.
Why didn't my file get smaller?
Some PDFs are already well optimised. If nothing beats the original, we tell you instead of handing you a bigger file.
Will the text still be searchable?
If the structural method wins, yes. If pages are re-encoded as images, no. The result screen tells you which happened.
Do you upload or keep my files?
No. Processing happens inside your browser, so your file never reaches our servers. Close the tab and it's gone.