Compress PDF
Reduce PDF file size by re-encoding each page at the quality level you choose.
Runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.PDF only · up to 100MB per file · multiple files allowed
This compression converts pages to images. Text will no longer be selectable or searchable. Keep your original PDF.
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Compress PDF in 3 steps
Add your PDFs
Drop one or more PDF files onto the drop zone, or click to browse for them.
Pick a compression level
Low gives the smallest file for casual sharing, Medium balances size and clarity, High keeps images crisp while still trimming size.
Compress and download
Click Compress PDF. Each page is re-rendered at your chosen quality and rebuilt into a new, smaller PDF you can download right away.
Why use this Compress PDF
Questions about this tool
How does PDF compression actually work here?
Each page is rendered to an image canvas at your chosen quality using pdf.js, then reassembled into a brand-new PDF with jsPDF. This is especially effective on scanned or image-heavy PDFs, where most of the file size comes from embedded images.
Will this make text blurry or unselectable?
Because pages are re-rendered as images, text in the output PDF is no longer selectable or searchable — this trade-off is what makes the size reduction possible. If you need to keep selectable text, this tool is best used on scanned documents rather than text-native PDFs.
Which quality level should I choose?
Medium works well for most everyday sharing and email attachments. Choose Low when a strict upload limit (like a government portal) is the priority, or High when the PDF contains photos or fine print that must stay sharp.
Why didn't my file get much smaller?
If your PDF is already mostly text with few images, there is less to compress — text-based PDFs are typically small to begin with. Compression makes the biggest difference on PDFs full of scanned pages or high-resolution photos.
Practical example
See Compressing a PDF without losing the parts you need for a worked example and the checks to make before using your result.
Is this the right way to shrink your PDF?
This tool redraws every page as an image. It can help with a scan or a photo-heavy PDF, but it removes searchable and selectable text. Form fields, digital signatures and other interactive content should not be expected to survive as working features. If a recipient needs those features, use the original PDF or a tool that preserves the document structure.
Example: a scanned application
If an application portal accepts a PDF under 2 MB, first keep a copy of the original scan. Try Medium, then open the downloaded PDF and check its actual size, page count, reading order and fine print at normal zoom. If it is still above the limit, Low may reduce it further, but inspect every page again. Smaller output is not guaranteed; already compact files can stay the same size or grow.
Never discard the original after compression. For a final submission, verify that page edges, stamps, signatures and small text remain legible, and check the portal's own upload rules. The PDF compression guide explains the trade-offs in more detail.