Compress PDF
Reduce file size while maintaining quality
Drop PDF file here
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Browser Processing
Files processed locally in your browser
Auto Delete
Files automatically deleted after processing
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Works Everywhere
Any device, any browser, no installation
How to Compress a PDF
Upload PDF
Select or drag your PDF file into the upload area.
Choose Quality
Select your preferred compression level (low, medium, or high).
Compress
Click compress and wait for the process to complete.
Download
Download your compressed PDF with reduced file size.
Why Compress PDF Files?
Large PDF files can be difficult to share via email, slow to upload, and take up valuable storage space. PDF compression reduces file size while maintaining acceptable quality for most uses.
When to Compress PDFs
- Email Attachments: Most email services limit attachments to 10-25MB. Compression helps you stay within limits.
- Web Uploads: Smaller files upload faster and improve website performance.
- Storage Optimization: Reduce cloud storage costs by compressing archived documents.
- Mobile Sharing: Smaller files are easier to share and view on mobile devices.
Understanding Compression Levels
Higher compression means smaller files but may reduce image quality. For text-heavy documents, even high compression maintains readability. For image-rich PDFs like photo albums or portfolios, use medium compression to balance size and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I compress a PDF?
Compression depends on your file content. Typically, you can reduce file size by 20-60% with our recommended setting. Image-heavy PDFs compress more than text-only documents.
Does compression reduce quality?
Our compression algorithms balance file size and quality. Choose 'Low' for minimal quality loss or 'High' for maximum compression. Text and vector graphics remain sharp at all levels.
Is my file secure?
Yes! All compression happens directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy.
Can I compress a PDF without Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, our free online tool works directly in your browser without needing Adobe Acrobat or any other software installation.
Why is my PDF file so large?
PDFs can be large due to high-resolution images, embedded fonts, multiple layers, or scanned content. Our compression optimizes these elements to reduce file size.
What's the difference between compression levels?
Low compression preserves maximum quality with moderate size reduction (10-30%). Medium balances quality and size (30-50% reduction). High prioritizes smallest file size (50-80% reduction) with some quality trade-off.
Can I compress a PDF for email?
Yes! This is one of the most common uses. Most email providers limit attachments to 25MB. Our tool can typically compress PDFs to meet this limit while maintaining readability.
Will compression affect text searchability?
No, text remains fully searchable and selectable after compression. Only images are optimized, not the underlying text content.
Can I compress multiple PDFs at once?
Currently, you can compress one PDF at a time. For batch compression, process each file individually or use our Merge tool first to combine them.
What if my PDF doesn't compress much?
Text-heavy PDFs or already-optimized files may not compress significantly. Try a higher compression level, or the file may already be well-optimized.