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Compress a PDF Online — Reduce File Size Free

Shrink a large PDF for easier sharing, entirely in your browser. No uploads, no sign-up.

Compression runs on this page — you do not need the full editor. Pick a mode, check the before/after preview, then download. Processing stays on your device; the file is not uploaded. The output also drops document Info and XMP metadata.

Two modes — pick from the file you actually have

Smart (text stays selectable)

Recompresses embedded images and keeps the text layer. Use it for contracts and reports that are still real text. Three levels: strong (lower JPEG quality and smaller image scale), recommended, and light. Text-only files or files that are already compressed often barely shrink — there is no magic if there are no large images to recompress.

Maximum (every page becomes an image)

Each page is painted and saved as JPEG inside a new PDF. That usually wins on high-resolution scans, but text is no longer copyable or searchable. Do not use it for a résumé you need an ATS to parse, or for a legal file that must stay selectable.

Target size for email and portals

Instead of a preset you can ask for a size (for example 2 MB). Many job and university portals cap uploads around 2 MB; Gmail allows much larger attachments (~25 MB) but smaller files still help on slow links. The tool tries to hit the target at the best quality it can. If the file is already smaller, we do not inflate it.

Limits and common failures

  • The whole file is held in browser memory. A 200-page scan on a phone may fail or take a long time.
  • Password-protected PDFs: unlock first with Unlock PDF.
  • Drawn signatures stored as images are compressed with the other images. Cryptographic certificate signatures are not what this tool is for.
  • After maximum mode, Find and replace cannot work — the text layer is gone.

Compress in three steps

  1. Drop your PDF into the widget above.
  2. Choose smart or maximum, then a quality level or a target size.
  3. Check the preview, compress, and download.

Questions that only apply to compress

Why did the size barely change?

Usually the PDF is text-heavy or already compressed. Smart mode needs large images to move the needle. Try maximum only on scans, and only if you accept losing selectable text.

Can I get the original quality back?

No — image compression is lossy. Keep the original file.

Is my file uploaded?

No. If you only want hidden metadata gone without touching images, see Sanitize PDF.

Read the full step-by-step guide

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