Compress PDF Files Online
Rewrite the PDF structure, or re-encode every page as an image to shrink scans and image-heavy files. Processing stays in your browser.
Free browser tool · no signup · no upload
Drop a PDF file here or click to upload
Free browser processing · maximum file size 50MB
How PDF Compression Works
- 1.Upload the PDF file you want to compress.
- 2.Choose a mode. “Compact” rewrites the structure and drops metadata, “No annotations” also removes comments and forms, and “Recompress images” re-renders every page as a JPEG.
- 3.Download the result and compare it with the original file size.
What to Expect
- - Structure modes - Compact and Compatible remove metadata and rewrite the file; they do not recompress embedded images
- - Image-heavy files - Use “Recompress images”, which re-renders each page as a JPEG and can target 100 KB, 200 KB, or 1 MB
- - Trade-off - Recompressed pages are images, so their text is no longer selectable or searchable
- - Browser-based - Processing happens locally; your file is not uploaded
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much can I reduce my PDF file size?
- It depends on the file. The Compact mode removes metadata and rewrites the structure, which helps PDFs from office software. If your PDF is mostly images or scans, use Recompress images, which re-encodes every page and can target a size such as 100 KB or 200 KB.
- Will compressing a PDF reduce image quality?
- The Compact, Compatible, and No annotations modes keep the original page content unchanged. Recompress images re-renders each page as a JPEG at 132 dpi, which reduces quality and removes selectable text in exchange for a much smaller file.
- Why did my PDF not get smaller?
- Some PDFs are already well optimized, and structure-only modes do not recompress embedded images. If the file is dominated by images, switch to Recompress images.
- Can I compress a PDF to a specific size?
- Yes, in Recompress images mode you can pick a target of about 100 KB, 200 KB, or 1 MB. The tool lowers the JPEG quality until it meets the target, and tells you when the smallest result it produced is still larger than the target.
- Is my PDF processed securely?
- Yes, all compression happens in your browser. Your file is never uploaded to any server.
- Can I compress password-protected PDFs?
- If the PDF requires a password to open, you will need to remove the password first. PDFs with editing restrictions may have limited results.