Compress PDF
Reduce your PDF file size by rasterising pages to compressed JPEG images. Choose quality to balance file size and clarity. Files never leave your browser.
How to compress a PDF
- Upload your PDF file
- Choose a compression quality level
- Click Compress PDF
- Download the smaller PDF instantly
Note: Compression converts pages to images — text will no longer be selectable in the output. This is the standard trade-off for aggressive browser-side compression.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I reduce my PDF file size? ▾
Results depend on content type. Image-heavy or scanned PDFs typically shrink 60–80%. Mixed content (text + images) shrinks 40–60%. Text-only PDFs shrink 20–40%. Medium quality is the best balance for most documents.
Will text remain selectable after compression? ▾
No. The compressor rasterises each page into a JPEG image, replacing the text layer with pixels. For most everyday uses — sharing scans, emailing forms — this is a non-issue. If you need searchable text, use the High quality setting to minimise visual loss.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF? ▾
No. Password-protected PDFs cannot be read by the browser engine. Remove the password first in Adobe Acrobat or Preview (Mac), then compress.
Is there a file size limit? ▾
The compressor handles files up to 50 MB. Processing happens entirely in your browser, so actual limits also depend on your device's available RAM.
Does compressing a PDF affect print quality? ▾
At Low quality (58 DPI), images will look soft on large prints. Medium (86 DPI) is fine for most desktop printing. For professional print use, choose High quality (126 DPI) or avoid compression entirely.
Read our full guide: How to compress a PDF without losing quality →