Compress PDF Online
Less to send. More detail worth keeping.
No uploads · No sign-up · FreeA smaller PDF starts here
Reduce file size while keeping the detail that matters. Start with Recommended, then compare the result.
Or drop a PDF here · Up to 80 MB / 300 pages
One photo-filled report. See what you save.
Try a sample travel report with a detailed landscape illustration and selectable text. Compress it to see real before-and-after file sizes and page previews. Compare all three choices with the same original.
Sample document · No personal data · Your result is measured, not estimatedReduce PDF file size while keeping the quality you need
A photo-filled report or scanned document can be too large for an email or an application portal. This free PDF compressor reduces picture size and quality to make a lighter copy, while keeping existing page text selectable. Start with Recommended for everyday sharing, or choose High quality when picture detail matters most.
You decide the trade-off. Smallest file favors easier uploads; Custom lets you adjust image resolution and quality and remove document details such as title and author. Compare the actual file sizes and page previews before downloading. Some PDFs are already compact, and savings are never guaranteed.
Best for: Photo-heavy reports, scanned paperwork, and PDF attachments that need to be easier to share.
How much smaller can a PDF get?
The contents matter more than the starting size. A report with a large JPEG has different room for improvement than an already compact scan or a text-only PDF. Compare these files generated with this compressor.
Scroll sideways to compare all columns.
| Sample PDF | Original | Result | Size change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report with a large picture1 pageTry this sample | 3119.8 kB PDF | 411.9 kB PDF | 86.8% smaller |
| Scanned invoice1 pageTry this sample | 48.6 kB PDF | 46.9 kB PDF | 3.3% smaller |
| Two-page text-only project brief2 pagesTry this sample | 2.0 kB PDF | 2.0 kB PDF | Unchanged — original kept |
These samples use Recommended settings. Results vary by file. Download both copies and compare small text and pictures at the same zoom.
For an upload limit such as 1 MB or 500 KB, choose Target file size and compare the actual bytes with your limit. A target is not guaranteed; the result tells you when it cannot fit. The PDF size reduction guide explains when to compress, remove pages, or keep the original. Use Edit PDF Metadata when you need to review individual document properties.
How to use this PDF compressor
- Choose a PDF from your device, or try the sample travel report.
- Select a quality preset, Custom, or Target file size for an upload limit, then select Compress PDF.
- Compare the size and readability, change the download filename if you wish, and save your PDF.
Need searchable scans? Try OCR PDF. Have pages you do not need? Delete PDF Pages before compressing.
Compress PDF: frequently asked questions
How can I compress a PDF for email or an online application?
Choose your PDF and start with Recommended. Check the resulting size against the email or upload limit. If it is still too large, try Smallest file or remove unnecessary pages with Delete PDF Pages. A particular size is not guaranteed.
Can I compress a PDF to 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB?
Choose Target file size, select a shortcut or enter a custom limit in KB or MB. The tool tries up to four picture settings and reports whether the saved file fits, using actual bytes. KB means 1,000 bytes and MB means 1,000,000 bytes. A target is not guaranteed: long documents, small text and already compressed images may prevent a readable result that fits.
Can I reduce PDF size without losing quality?
Smaller pictures may lose fine detail. High quality keeps more detail, while Recommended balances clarity and size. Existing text and line drawings stay sharp. Always inspect small print in scanned pages and any important pictures before sharing.
Does this PDF size reducer work on scanned documents?
It can shrink supported scan images. Very small print may become harder to read, so inspect the result. Compression does not make a scan searchable: use OCR PDF to add searchable text to scanned pages.
Will text, links, and form fields still work?
Existing page text, links, and form fields are retained. Pages are not turned into pictures. Check your completed file before use. Digitally signed PDFs are rejected because changing them could invalidate the signature.
Why did my PDF not get smaller?
It may already be optimized, contain few pictures, or use pictures that this tool leaves unchanged to preserve their appearance. If a smaller copy cannot be produced, you can download the unchanged original. No document-detail removal is applied to that unchanged copy.
What do the Custom image settings change?
Lower resolution reduces large picture dimensions; lower image quality reduces picture detail. Large pictures may be reduced; smaller pictures may stay at their original size. Remove document details clears the document title, author and similar properties; it is not a complete privacy scrub.
Is this PDF compressor free and private?
Yes. Your PDF is processed in this browser tab without uploading it, signing up, or paying. Keep the tab open until it finishes. Files up to 80 MB and 300 pages are supported; some complex pictures may be left unchanged.
Can I rename the compressed PDF before downloading?
Yes. Edit Download filename before saving. The download uses your chosen name with a single .pdf extension. Your original file is unchanged.