Compress a PDF
Compress PDF makes your file smaller so it fits an email, an upload form or a messaging app. Choose a level, or simply pick a target size — under 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB — and the tool tries quality settings from best to smallest until the file fits.
The target sizes match what forms most often ask for: 100 KB and 200 KB for photos and documents on government and job portals, 500 KB and 1 MB for email attachments and messaging apps. If your file is already below the target, it's tidied up and kept selectable without heavy compression.
Light compression tidies up the file and keeps text selectable. Recommended and Strong redraw each page as an image at 150 or 100 dpi, which shrinks scans and photo-heavy PDFs a lot; text then can't be selected any more, so keep your original if you need that. You can also turn colour pages black and white to save more.
Compression runs in your browser: your document is never uploaded, which matters for the passports, payslips and certificates people usually need to shrink.
Drop a PDF here
PDF · or click to choose · you can also paste · up to 300 MB · stays on your device
Your privacy
This tool works entirely inside your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server.
How to use Compress PDF
- 1
Add your PDF
Drop the file on the page or click to choose it.
- 2
Choose a target or a level
Pick a size limit (for example Under 200 KB) or a compression level.
- 3
Compress and download
See the before and after size, then save the smaller PDF.
Questions and answers
How small can my PDF get?
It depends on the content. Scanned pages shrink a lot; a short text-only PDF is often already small. If a target can't be reached, you get the smallest version possible and a note saying so.
Will the quality drop?
Light keeps everything as it is. The stronger settings turn pages into images at a lower resolution: fine for reading on screen and most uploads, but text is no longer selectable.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Compression happens in your browser, on your device.
What's the maximum file size?
Up to 300 MB. Big files take longer and need more memory, especially on phones.
Why is my compressed file bigger than the original?
Some PDFs are already well optimized. In that case the tool tells you so, and your original is the better file to keep.