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Compress PDF files

Reduce the size of a PDF for email, uploads or storage. The tool first analyses what takes up space in your file, then suggests a setting. Text stays sharp and searchable, and you always keep your original.

Processed on your device. Your files are not uploaded.

or drop a PDF file here.

How to use Compress PDF

  1. Select a PDF or drag it into the box. The tool shows what takes up space in it.
  2. Choose "Maximum quality", "Balanced" or "Smaller file". The recommended setting is pre-selected.
  3. Select "Compress PDF". The result is checked automatically against your original.
  4. Compare the sizes and download the compressed PDF, or keep your original if it was not worth it.

Good to know: limitations

  • Images in CMYK, palette (indexed) colours, JPEG 2000, JBIG2 or fax formats are kept unchanged.
  • Transparent images keep their transparency mask unchanged; only the colour part is compressed.
  • Embedded fonts are not reduced yet.
  • Compressed images are always stored in colour (RGB), even when the original was grayscale.
  • Very large files may exceed the memory available on phones.

Frequently asked questions

Are my files uploaded?

No. Analysis and compression run in your browser on your device. Your file is not sent to our servers.

Will the quality get worse?

"Maximum quality" changes nothing visible: it only removes waste inside the file. "Balanced" and "Smaller file" reduce the resolution and quality of photos and scans, which can make them slightly softer. Text, vector graphics and diagrams are never turned into images.

Why did my PDF not get smaller?

Many PDFs are already stored efficiently, for example text documents or files whose images were compressed before. The tool then tells you so and recommends keeping the original, instead of offering a file that is not smaller.

Do links, forms and searchable text still work?

Yes. Only images are re-encoded; text, fonts, links, annotations, form fields, page sizes and rotation are kept.

Is it free?

Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit. The site is financed by advertising.