Compress PDF
Reduce file size while keeping quality. Shows how much you saved.
or drop files here
Free: files up to 200 MB · up to 10 files · 15 of 15 free tasks left today. See plans
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours. You can delete them sooner.
To compress a PDF, add it to Compress PDF, keep the Recommended level (or pick a target size) and select Compress PDF; the result shows the new size and how much you saved.
How to compress a PDF in 3 steps
- 1
Choose your PDF files, or drop them anywhere on the page.
- 2
Pick a compression level. Recommended suits most files.
- 3
Select Compress PDF, then download the smaller file and see how much space you saved.
What can Compress PDF do?
- Three levels: Extreme for the smallest file, Recommended for good quality, Light for the best quality.
- Shows the size before and after, and the percentage saved, for every file.
- Keeps bookmarks, links and form fields by default.
- Optional grayscale conversion and metadata removal for even smaller files.
- Compress up to 10 files at once as a guest, or 20 with a free account.
- Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours. You can delete them sooner.
- Fine-tune image quality (10 to 100 percent) and maximum image resolution under More options.
- Optional fast web view so the first page shows before the whole file downloads.
How do I compress a PDF file?
To compress a PDF file, add it to Compress PDF, keep the Recommended level and select Compress PDF. The tool lowers the resolution and quality of the images inside, removes data that is not needed and rewrites the file efficiently. We keep whichever version is smallest, so the result is never larger than what you started with. Need to stay under an exact limit? Use Compress PDF to a size.
Which compression level should I choose?
Recommended is the right level for most documents: good quality and a much smaller file.
- Extreme gives the smallest file, with lower image quality.
- Recommended balances quality and size.
- Light keeps the best quality and still makes the file smaller.
Under More options you can convert images to grayscale or remove metadata to save a little more space. For a fully black and white document, use Grayscale PDF.
How do I know how much space I saved?
The result screen shows the size before and after for every file, for example 1.13 MB → 139 KB (88 % smaller). If your PDF is already well optimised, we say so and the task is not counted against your daily limit. A file that is still too large can be cut into parts with Split PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I reduce PDF size?
It depends on what is inside the file. PDFs with many photos or scans often shrink by 50 to 90 percent, while text-only PDFs are usually small already. The result screen shows the exact size before and after.
Does compressing a PDF reduce the quality?
Only slightly at the Recommended level, which keeps images sharp enough for reading on screen and normal printing. Choose Light for the best quality, or Extreme for the smallest file.
Can I compress a PDF that is already compressed?
You can try, but the saving is often small. If we cannot make the file smaller without losing quality, we tell you, keep your original and do not count the task.
How do I compress a PDF to a specific size?
Use Compress PDF to a size and type the limit in MB, such as 1 MB for an email attachment. If the target cannot be reached, you get the smallest version we could make.
Is this PDF compressor free?
Yes. Free files can be up to 200 MB each; guests can compress up to 10 files per task and 15 tasks a day, and a free account allows 20 files per task and 40 tasks a day. Premium has no daily limit.
Is it safe to compress PDF files online?
Yes. Files are encrypted in transit, processed on our servers and deleted automatically after 2 hours. You can also delete them right away from the result screen.
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Last updated October 23, 2026