How to use the Compress PDF
Step 1: Drop a PDF onto the upload box, or tap it to choose a file.
Step 2: Pick a compression level: Light keeps more detail, Recommended balances size and clarity, Strong gives the smallest file.
Step 3: Press Compress PDF and wait while each page is processed. A progress message shows where it is.
Step 4: Compare the sizes. If the new file is smaller, press Download PDF.
Features and benefits
Three clear levels
Choose the balance between file size and sharpness without learning any technical settings.
Before and after
See the original size, the new size and the percentage saved.
Honest about results
If the new file is not smaller, the tool says so and suggests what to try, instead of hiding it.
Page sizes preserved
Every page keeps its original dimensions and orientation.
Private
Compression runs on your device and your PDF is never uploaded.
How this compression works
Each page is drawn into an image, saved as a JPEG at the quality of the level you chose, and placed into a new PDF at the original page size. JPEG compression discards fine detail the eye rarely notices, which is why scans and photographs can shrink dramatically.
The trade-off is that the page becomes a picture. Text can no longer be selected, copied or searched, and links and form fields are lost. If you need those, keep the original or use a desktop PDF optimiser that works on the PDF's internal structure.
When it helps, and when it does not
Scanned documents and PDFs full of photographs are ideal. A PDF that is already mostly text and vector graphics is small to begin with, and turning it into pictures can make it larger. In that case the tool warns you, and you should keep the original. Start with Recommended, and only move to Strong if you still need a smaller file and can accept softer text.
Example use cases
Email attachments
Bring a scanned document under a mail provider's attachment limit.
Upload portals
Meet the maximum file size on an application or government form.
Storage and sharing
Shrink an archive of scanned bills or photos saved as PDF.
Slow connections
Send a lighter file when mobile data is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my PDF get bigger?
Text-based PDFs are already compact. Turning their pages into images can increase the size. Keep the original, or try the Strong level.
Will I still be able to select text?
No. Compressed pages are pictures, so text is not selectable or searchable afterwards. Keep your original if you need that.
Which level should I choose?
Start with Recommended. Use Light for documents with fine print, and Strong only when you need the smallest possible file.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Compression happens in your browser and the file never leaves your device.
Is there a size limit?
No fixed limit, but very large PDFs take longer and need more memory, so use a computer for them.
Related tools
Useful guides
Last updated 9 November 2026.