Compress PDF
What is Compress PDF
This tool reduces the size of a PDF by re-rendering each page as an optimized JPEG image at a lower resolution and rebuilding the file from those images. You can pick between three levels: low (150 DPI, best quality), medium (120 DPI) and high (96 DPI, smallest file). Everything runs in your browser, so the PDF is never uploaded to a server. The approach works best on scanned documents and image-heavy files, which often shrink by 50 to 90 percent; a small text-only PDF may not get smaller, and the tool shows both sizes so you can decide whether to keep the result.
How to use
- Drop your PDF into the box or click to select it.
- Pick a compression level: low keeps the most detail, high gives the smallest file, medium sits in between.
- Click Compress and wait while the pages are processed.
- Compare the original size with the new size and the savings percentage.
- Download the compressed PDF if the result works for you.
When to use it
Your scanned lease came out at 18 MB and the upload form stops at 10 MB: run it through the medium level and it will usually fit with room to spare. The same goes for getting a bulky scan under a 25 MB email attachment limit or shrinking a photo-heavy report before sharing it.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Compression runs entirely in your browser and the file never leaves your device. That also makes the tool suitable for contracts, medical records and other sensitive documents.
How much smaller will the file get?
It depends on the content. Scanned documents and image-heavy PDFs often shrink by 50 to 90 percent. A text-only PDF that is already small may barely shrink or even grow, which is why the tool shows both sizes before you download anything.
Will the text still be selectable?
No. Each page is re-rendered as an image, so text in the compressed PDF can no longer be selected or searched. Keep the original file if you need those features.
Which compression level should I choose?
Low (150 DPI) keeps the most detail, high (96 DPI) produces the smallest file, and medium (120 DPI) is a good default for email attachments. If the result looks blurry, try again with the low level.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
No. Encrypted PDFs are not supported. Remove the password first, then compress the unlocked copy.
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