Large PDFs can be hard to email or upload. Compressing a PDF strips out unnecessary data to make the file smaller while keeping it readable.
Compression runs in your browser so your PDF is never uploaded. It is free with no watermark.
How to use the Compress PDF
- Select a PDF file.
- The tool reduces its size in your browser.
- Download the smaller PDF.
How PDF compression actually works
Most of a heavy PDF is images: scanned pages and embedded photos. Compression shrinks those images and strips redundant data, which is why a scanned document often drops from 20 MB to 2 MB while a text-only PDF barely changes, since text is already tiny. Expect the biggest savings on scans and photo-heavy files.
Meeting upload limits like 1 MB or 2 MB
Job portals, government forms and email systems commonly cap attachments at 1, 2 or 5 MB. Compress first and check the result; if a scan is still over the limit, the remaining lever is stronger image compression at some visible cost, which is usually acceptable for documents that just need to be readable. Files are processed in your browser, so contracts and statements are never uploaded to a server.
Common uses
- Fitting scanned documents under application upload limits
- Shrinking reports and portfolios for email
- Reducing storage taken by archived paperwork
- Making large PDFs load faster when shared
Frequently asked questions
Is the PDF compressor free?
Yes, free with no signup or watermark.
Are my PDFs uploaded?
No. Compression happens locally on your device.
How much smaller will my PDF be?
It depends on the file. PDFs with lots of metadata or duplicate data shrink the most.
Will compression lower quality?
Text stays sharp. Results depend on what the PDF contains.