PDF Compressor
Reduce the size of a PDF so it is easier to email or upload. Choose a light clean-up that keeps text, or a strong mode for scans and photo-heavy files.
Use the PDF Compressor
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How to use the PDF Compressor
- Drop a PDF into the box, or click to choose one.
- Choose Strong for the biggest savings, or Light to keep text and links.
- If you chose Strong, pick the picture quality.
- Press Compress PDF and compare the before and after sizes.
About this tool
Light mode rewrites the file structure and usually saves little. Strong mode redraws every page as a compressed picture, which can shrink scans and image-heavy documents a lot. The tool always shows the real result, and will tell you if it could not save any space.
Good to know: Strong mode turns text into part of the page picture, so it can no longer be selected, searched or copied, and links stop working. Keep your original if you need that. PDFs that are already well optimised may not get smaller. Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first.
Free to use. Your inputs are processed in your browser and are not sent to our servers. Results are for general information; see the disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my PDF not get smaller?
It may already be well compressed, or it may contain mostly text, which is small to begin with. The tool tells you honestly when no space was saved instead of giving you a bigger file.
Will Strong mode make my PDF look worse?
Pages are redrawn as images at the quality you choose. Balanced is good for reading on screen; choose Best quality if small text must stay sharp.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Compression happens in your browser and your file is not uploaded to our servers.