Compress a PDF
Upload the PDF, pick a level and download a lighter version.
Drag the cards to change the order.
Your files are not uploaded to any server.
How to use it
- Choose the PDF.
- Pick the level: Recommended keeps good quality, Strong makes it smaller.
- Click Compress PDF. When it finishes, it shows how much the size dropped.
How it works
Most of a heavy PDF's weight is photos and scans. The tool saves each image again as JPEG and scales down those with more resolution than needed. Text, fonts and vector graphics are not touched, so they stay sharp.
Recommended leaves images at about 170 dpi, enough for screens and office printing. Strong leaves them at about 110 dpi, meant for email and messaging.
If the PDF has few images, or was already compressed, it may not shrink much. In that case the tool says so and creates no new file. It never returns a file larger than the original.
FAQ
How much smaller does it get?
It depends on the content. A PDF with photos or scans often drops to half or less. One that is mostly text drops little.
Is quality lost?
In images, a little, especially with Strong. Text stays just as sharp.
I need it under 1 MB for a form
Try Strong first. If that is not enough, split the PDF with Split PDF and send the parts separately.
Is the PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Compression runs in your browser.