Compress PDF

Edit & shrink a PDF's file size down to something easier to email, upload, or store — pick a compression level and see exactly how much smaller it gets.

How it works: this tool tries two approaches automatically — a text-preserving optimization, and re-rendering pages as compressed images (which helps scans and photo-heavy PDFs) — and keeps whichever result is smaller. It never gives you a file larger than the one you started with.

Drop a PDF here

or choose a file from your device

Compression level

Your documents

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What this tool does

This is a free, browser-based PDF compressor. It reduces a PDF's file size by trying a text-preserving optimization and a page re-rendering method at your chosen compression level, keeping whichever is smaller, and shows you the exact size saved before you download — no file is ever uploaded to a server.

How to compress a PDF

  1. Add your PDF — drop it into the box above, or click to browse your device. You can add more than one.
  2. Pick a compression level — Recommended works well for most files; choose Extreme if size matters more than image quality.
  3. Wait for it to process — every page is re-rendered at the chosen level automatically.
  4. Download — check the before/after size shown, then save the smaller file.

Compression levels explained

Each level trades image quality for file size differently. Here's what to expect from each:

How Low, Recommended, and Extreme compression differ
LevelTypical size reductionBest for
LowSmallest reduction, highest qualityDocuments you still need to read small details or fine print in
RecommendedModerate to large reductionMost everyday PDFs — a good default
ExtremeLargest reductionQuickly shrinking a file for email or upload limits, where quality matters less

Frequently asked questions

Is this PDF compressor free?

Yes. It's completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark, and no limit on how many PDFs you compress.

Are my PDFs uploaded to a server?

No. Every PDF is opened and compressed directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device.

Will my PDF's text still be selectable after compressing?

It depends on which method produced the smaller file. If the text-preserving optimization wins, your text stays selectable. If your PDF is image-heavy, like a scan, and the page-flattening method wins, each page becomes an image and the text is no longer selectable. The result row tells you which one you got.

Which compression level should I pick?

Recommended gives a good balance of file size and readability for most PDFs. Low compression keeps the most detail at a larger file size; Extreme gives the smallest file with a noticeable drop in image quality.

Can compressing make my PDF bigger?

No. This tool always compares each result against your original file. If neither method produces something smaller, it tells you the file is already optimized instead of giving you a larger one.

Why is my PDF so large in the first place?

PDFs are usually large because they contain high-resolution scanned pages or embedded photos. Text-only PDFs are typically already small and may not shrink much further with this tool.