Compress PDF

Q: What is the difference between the compression levels?

Smaller file applies the most aggressive compression. Balanced is the default and works well for most files. Better quality is the most conservative — it removes less, so the output is closest to the original.

Reduce your PDF's file size - right in your browser. Nothing is uploaded. Nothing is stored.

Drop your PDF here

or click anywhere in this area to browse your files

PDF files only · Up to 500 MB

Compression level

Smaller file Maximum reduction. Strips the most data.

Recommended Balanced Best size-to-quality ratio for most files.

Better quality Most conservative. Safest output.

Reading your PDF…

How it works

Three steps to a smaller PDF

Upload your PDF

Drop your file into the box above or click to browse. No account required — nothing is uploaded.

Choose a level

Balanced works for most files. Smaller file goes furthest. Better quality is the safest option.

Download

See exactly how much was saved before you download. One click and you're done.

What actually gets compressed?

This tool strips hidden metadata - author, editor, creation timestamps, revision history - and optimises the PDF's internal structure by compacting object streams and removing redundant data.

Image-heavy PDFs compress best. Scanned documents, presentations with photos, and files exported from design tools often shrink by 30–70%. Text-only PDFs - invoices, contracts, Word exports - contain very little compressible data, so you may see only a small reduction or none at all. That is normal behaviour, not a problem.

No content is removed, no pages are deleted, and the visual output of your PDF is unchanged by compression.

Common questions

Why didn't my PDF get much smaller?

Text-only PDFs - invoices, reports, Word exports - have very little compressible data. If your file is mostly typed text, a 0–5% reduction is normal. For bigger savings, try a PDF with embedded images or scanned pages.

Are my files private?

Yes. This tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your PDF is never uploaded to any server - it is processed locally on your device and downloaded directly to you. We have no access to your files at any point.

What is the difference between the compression levels?

Smaller file applies the most aggressive compression - best for maximum size reduction. Balanced is the default and works well for most files. Better quality is the most conservative - it removes less, so the output is closest to the original but may not shrink as much.

Is there a file size limit?

Because everything runs in your browser, practical limits depend on your device's memory. Most modern devices handle files up to 500 MB without issues. Very large files may be slower on older hardware.

Can I compress a password-protected PDF?

If your PDF requires a password to open, remove the password first using Unlock PDF, then compress it. If the PDF only has editing restrictions (not an open password), it can usually be compressed directly.