Compress PDF: Make a PDF Smaller
Make a heavy scanned or image-based PDF much smaller for email and uploads. Choose smallest file, balanced or best quality and the tool re-renders each page as a compressed image. It runs on your device and nothing is uploaded.
- Smallest, balanced or best quality
- Best for scans and photos
- No upload, 100% private
- No sign-up
Pages are turned into compressed images. This shrinks scans a lot, but text can no longer be selected or searched. Text-only PDFs are usually small already and may not get smaller.
Your files stay on your device: they are processed in your browser and never uploaded.
How to use
- Choose your PDF. Its size is shown.
- Pick a quality: Smallest file, Balanced or Best quality.
- Press Compress PDF. Large files take a little while because every page is re-rendered.
- Download the result and compare its size. If it is not smaller, keep your original.
How this PDF compressor works
Each page is drawn on a canvas at a resolution that depends on the level you choose and saved as a JPEG inside a new PDF with the same page sizes. For scanned documents and image-heavy files, which are mostly big pictures, this can cut the size by 70% or more. Because this is done in your browser, the PDF is never uploaded.
When it helps and when it does not
Compression works well for scans, photo albums and slide decks exported as images. It is not the right tool for text PDFs, since turning text into pictures usually makes the file bigger and removes the ability to select and search the text. If the result would be larger than the original, we tell you and keep your file as it is. Before attaching to email, you can also split out the pages you need with Split PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Will the text still be selectable?
No. Pages become images, so the text is no longer selectable or searchable. Use this for scans, or keep the original when you need the text.
Why did my PDF not get smaller?
A PDF made of text and vector graphics is already compact. Re-rendering it as pictures can make it bigger, so the tool keeps your original in that case.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The PDF is processed in your browser and stays on your device.
Which level should I choose?
Balanced suits most scans. Choose Smallest file for email limits and Best quality when you need clear small print.