Compress PDF Files
Reduce the size of a scanned or image-heavy PDF. Your file stays on your device.
- Runs in your browser
- No sign-up
- No watermark
This tool shrinks a PDF by drawing each page as a picture and saving those pictures as compressed JPEG images inside a new PDF. It works well on scans, photos and slide decks that are mostly images. You choose how strong the compression is and see the size before and after.
There is a trade-off. Because every page becomes a picture, the text can no longer be selected, copied or searched, and links and form fields are removed. A PDF that is already small, or mostly plain text, may not get smaller at all. When that happens, the tool tells you and does not hand you a bigger file. Everything runs in your browser, so your document is not uploaded.
How to use Compress PDF
- Choose a PDF from your device, or drop it onto the box.
- Pick Light, Balanced or Strong. Stronger levels give smaller files and softer images.
- Select Compress PDF and wait while each page is processed.
- Check the before and after size, then download the new PDF.
Compress a PDF without uploading it
A PDF that is too big to email is usually a scan, which often means personal paperwork. This tool redraws the pages on your device and builds the smaller file there. Nothing is sent to us, and you can confirm it in your browser network tab.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The compression happens in your browser. The file is never sent to a server.
Why can I not select the text after compressing?
Each page is turned into an image to save space, so the text is part of the picture. Keep your original if you need searchable text.
Why did the tool not give me a smaller file?
Some PDFs are already well compressed, or are mostly plain text, which is tiny to begin with. Turning those pages into images can make the file bigger. In that case no new file is made and your original is the better one.
Which level should I choose?
Balanced works for most documents sent by email. Choose Light if small print must stay sharp, and Strong when size matters more than detail.
Will links, bookmarks and forms still work?
No. Links, bookmarks, form fields and comments are not kept, because the new PDF contains only page images.
Can it compress a password-protected PDF?
No. Remove the password first, then compress the file.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no account, no watermark and no daily limit.