Compress PDF Files Online
Make large PDFs small enough to email, upload or store. Choose how much to compress and download a lighter file without installing anything.
How to compress a PDF
Reducing a PDF's size takes three steps.
- Upload your PDF (up to 300 MB)
- Choose a compression level: Balanced or Maximum
- Optionally rename the output file
- Click Compress and download the smaller PDF
Two compression levels
Balanced compression reduces file size while keeping good visual quality, which suits documents you will read or print. Maximum compression gives the smallest possible file and is best when size matters more than image detail.
When to compress a PDF
Compressing helps whenever a file is too big for where it needs to go.
- Emailing documents that exceed attachment limits
- Uploading to portals with file size caps
- Saving storage space on your device or cloud drive
- Sharing scanned documents and image-heavy reports faster
Tips
PDFs with many photos or scanned pages shrink the most. If the result looks too soft, run the original again with Balanced instead of Maximum.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reduce the size of a PDF?+
Upload the PDF, choose Balanced or Maximum compression and click Compress. You can then download the smaller file.
Will compressing a PDF reduce its quality?+
Balanced compression keeps good quality. Maximum compression produces the smallest file and may reduce image detail.
What is the largest PDF I can compress?+
You can upload PDFs up to 300 MB.
Do I need to install software to compress a PDF?+
No. The compressor runs in your browser on any device, and it is also available in the iOS and Android apps.
