Compress PDF Files Online With Clear Size Results
A smaller file, an easier upload. Choose how to compress your PDF and see the real result.
Drop your PDF here
or select a document from your device
Choose a setting, then compare the actual file sizes.
Your selected PDF
Your files are processed in your browser. They are not uploaded to our server.
One PDF · Up to 50 MB · Up to 200 pages · Password-protected PDFs are not supported
THE DETAILS, WITHOUT THE FUSS
Reduce PDF file size without hiding the tradeoffs.
Why PDFs become large
High-resolution page scans and photographs usually account for more bytes than text. Repeated embedded resources and older PDF structures can add overhead, too. The best setting depends on what the file contains.
Easier email, uploads and storage
A smaller file can fit an attachment or form limit and take less space in an archive. Check the exact limit first: a successful compression result may still be too large for your destination.
Choose the tradeoff deliberately
Preserve text compacts PDF objects. Balanced and Strong render pages into JPEG images at different resolution and quality settings. Image-based modes can shrink scans but remove selectable text and interactive features.
Keep your documents useful
Inspect small text, tables, handwriting and diagrams after compression. Avoid image-based modes if the recipient needs accessible text, working links or automated text extraction. Keep the source PDF as your master copy.
Real size comparisons
The result compares the original and output byte counts. If the attempted output is not smaller, the tool keeps the original available and says that no saving was achieved. An exact target size is never guaranteed.
Local processing across devices
Recent desktop and mobile browsers can run the tool. Pages are handled one at a time to limit memory use. Keep the tab open; use a desktop for larger jobs and cancel if you need to start again.
FROM START TO SAVED
How to compress PDF files online
Select a PDF
Choose the file you want to make smaller.
Choose a level
Start with Preserve text; review the tradeoffs before image-based modes.
Compress
Keep the tab open while your browser processes the file.
Compare
Check the actual original size, output size and space saved.
Download
Save and inspect the result. Keep your original, too.
A FEW ANSWERS
Compress PDF: your questions, answered.
How can I reduce PDF file size?
Select one PDF and start with Preserve text. If it is still too large and a visual copy is acceptable, try Balanced or Strong after reading and accepting the image-only warning.
Is PDF compression free?
Yes. All three settings are free, with a limit of 50 MB and 200 pages per PDF to help manage browser memory.
What do the compression levels do?
Preserve text rewrites PDF objects using compact object streams without rasterizing pages. Balanced renders pages at up to 144 dpi with JPEG quality 78%. Strong uses up to 96 dpi and quality 55%. Oversized pages are capped to avoid excessive memory use.
Does compression reduce quality?
Preserve text does not intentionally change page imagery. Balanced and Strong create lossy page images, which can blur fine text and remove interactive features. Always check the downloaded copy.
Will text remain searchable and selectable?
Use Preserve text for existing selectable text. Balanced and Strong replace each page with an image; search, selectable text, accessibility tags, hyperlinks and form fields are not retained.
Can I compress a scanned PDF?
Image-based modes can help high-resolution scans. Choose Balanced first, then check small print, stamps and handwriting before trying Strong.
Can you guarantee a PDF under 1 MB?
No. The result depends on page count, image detail and the starting file. We report actual sizes and cannot guarantee an exact target.
Is this suitable for a resume?
Choose Preserve text so existing selectable text stays available. Avoid image-based modes for recruitment systems that need to read the text. Re-exporting a resume from its source may produce a smaller, more suitable file.
Why is my PDF not smaller?
It may already use efficient compression or contain mostly text. If the attempted result is not smaller, the tool says so and offers your original file rather than claiming a saving.
Are my files uploaded or stored?
Your PDF is processed inside this browser tab. There is no upload or server-side document storage. Refreshing or closing the tab clears the tool’s working state.
Can I use compression on mobile?
Recent mobile browsers can process smaller documents. Keep the tab open while processing and use a desktop for larger files. Processing can be cancelled.
Are password protection and digital signatures supported?
Encrypted PDFs are not supported. Rewriting a PDF invalidates existing digital signatures. Keep the signed original and check whether the recipient will accept a modified copy.
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Reduce PDF file size with a clear quality decision
Compression is a tradeoff between bytes and document features. This tool makes the distinction explicit: preserve the PDF’s text-oriented structure when possible, or create a smaller visual copy when that suits the job.
Start with Preserve text
This option is the safer first choice for resumes, reports, and documents with links or selectable text. It may not reduce every PDF dramatically, because some files are already efficiently stored.
Use image-based options deliberately
Balanced and Strong can help with scans and image-heavy PDFs. They create image-only pages, so confirm that the recipient does not require searchable text, working forms, links, or accessibility tags.
A quick check before you share
- Compare actual output size with your destination’s limit.
- Inspect fine details at normal zoom after compression.
- Keep the original document as the version to edit or archive.