Compress PDF to a smaller file size
Shrink PDF file size while keeping quality.
To compress PDF files, upload one, pick standard or aggressive compression and download the smaller file. Standard mode cleans up the PDF's internal objects and compresses its data streams without touching image quality. Aggressive mode also recompresses embedded images as lower-quality JPEG, which can shrink image-heavy files much more but may soften detail. How much you save depends on what is inside the PDF, and some files will barely change.
How to compress a PDF
Upload a PDF up to 25 MiB, choose a compression level, submit the form and download the result. Always compare the new file size with the original and open the output to check that it still looks right before you send it or delete the source.
Standard or aggressive: which to choose
Start with standard. It re-saves the file with cleaned-up objects and compressed streams, so text and images look the same. If the file is still too big, try aggressive, which lowers the quality of embedded images. Aggressive mode helps most on scans and photo-heavy PDFs, where images make up most of the size.
Why some PDFs hardly shrink
A PDF that was already optimised, or that is mostly text and vector graphics, has little left to remove. A smaller file is not guaranteed. If a result is not small enough, remove pages you do not need with the Reorder / Delete Pages tool, or split the document and send it in parts.
Getting under an email or upload limit
Many email services cap attachments around 20-25 MB and portals often set stricter limits. Compress first, check the size, and only then try aggressive mode. Keep the original file in case the compressed version loses detail you need, such as fine print in a scan.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on the file. PDFs full of large photos or scans can shrink a lot, especially in aggressive mode. Text-heavy or already optimised PDFs may barely change, so always compare the output size with the original.
Does compressing a PDF reduce quality?
Standard mode compresses internal data without changing how pages look. Aggressive mode recompresses embedded images as lower-quality JPEG, which can reduce detail. Open the result and check important pages before sharing it.
Is a smaller file guaranteed?
No. If the PDF is already well optimised there may be nothing left to compress, and the output can be about the same size. In that case keep the original, or try aggressive mode if some quality loss is acceptable.
What is the maximum file size?
You can upload a PDF up to 25 MiB. For larger files, split the document into parts with the Split PDF tool, compress each part, and send them separately or merge them again afterwards.
Can I compress a PDF to a specific size like 1 MB?
There is no target-size setting. You choose standard or aggressive mode and see what you get. If the result is still too large, remove unneeded pages or split the file, then compress again.
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