Compress PDF — Shrink a PDF File in Your Browser
Choose a PDF, pick how much to shrink it, and download the smaller file — all in your browser. Your file never leaves your computer. Free, no account.
Your compressed PDF is ready
| Original size | |
|---|---|
| Compressed size | |
| Size saved |
Clean-up savings are usually modest — this tool never promises a percentage. Smaller file mode saves more, but each page becomes an image, so the text is no longer selectable or searchable. If the compressed file is larger than the original, the tool says so and offers the original instead.
Quick answer
This compress pdf free tool shrinks a PDF file in two ways. Clean up re-saves the file and removes unused objects, which usually saves a little. Smaller file rebuilds each page as an image at a lower resolution, which saves more but turns text into pictures. You see both sizes and the size saved before you download.
How to use Compress PDF
Choose your PDF
Tap Choose file or drop a PDF into the box. The file must be a PDF, no bigger than 50 MB, and no longer than 200 pages. A file that is not a PDF is rejected straight away.
Pick a mode
Clean up keeps your text selectable and searchable, and usually saves a little. Smaller file rebuilds each page as an image at 150, 100 or 72 DPI.
Compress the file
Tap Compress PDF and wait for the progress bar. Smaller file mode takes longer than Clean up, because every page is drawn again. Do not close the tab while it works.
Check the sizes and download
The tool shows the original size, the compressed size, and the size saved. Tap Download compressed PDF to save it. If the result is larger, the tool says so plainly, and you can download the original instead.
Real example: a teacher emailing a scanned worksheet
A teacher scans a twelve-page worksheet into a PDF, but the file is too big to send by email.
She needs a free pdf size reducer that works without installing software. She opens this page, picks Smaller file at 100 DPI, and downloads a smaller copy for her email.
She keeps the original for printing, because the smaller copy has softer text and the words are now part of the page images. The same approach works to compress pdf for email from a phone, with no app to install.
Why use this tool
This compress pdf online tool is built for one job: make a PDF smaller, and show you exactly what changed.
Two modes, your choice
Clean up is the way to compress pdf without losing quality: it re-saves the file and removes unused objects. Smaller file rebuilds each page as an image. You pick the trade-off.
You see the saving first
The tool shows the original size, the compressed size, and the size saved, before you download. If the result is larger, it says so.
Your file stays on your device
This tool lets you reduce pdf size online in your browser. Your file is never uploaded, so no one else sees your document.
No account, no wait
No sign-up and no email. Choose a file, pick a mode, and download.
Works on your phone
Open the page in your mobile browser, choose a PDF, and compress pdf on mobile with the same two modes. There is no app to install.
Honest about the limits
Clean-up savings are usually modest, and image mode turns text into pictures. This page says so plainly.
Compress PDF compared with other ways
| Way to shrink a PDF | Needs an account? | Cost | What you get | Works on mobile? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This tool | No | Free | Smaller PDF, sizes shown | Yes |
| Desktop PDF software | Sometimes | Free or paid | More control, needs install | No |
| Email the original | No | Free | No size change at all | Yes |
| Print and rescan | No | Free | Smaller file, worse text | No |
| Online upload service | Sometimes | Free or paid | File sent to a server | Varies |
Unlike an online pdf compressor that uploads your file to a server, this tool does the pdf compression in your browser. A desktop program can do more, but it needs an install, and emailing the original does not reduce pdf file size.
Pros and cons
Every Compress PDF result shows the original and the new size before you download.
Pros
- Free to use, with no fee.
- No account and no email needed.
- Your file never leaves your device.
- Two modes: keep the text, or shrink the file more.
- Shows the size saved in bytes and as a percentage.
- A compress pdf on mobile tool, with large buttons.
Cons
- Clean-up savings are usually modest — never a promised percentage.
- Smaller file mode turns the text into images, so words are not selectable or searchable.
- Image quality drops as the DPI goes down.
- Files over 50 MB or 200 pages are rejected.
- Password-protected or damaged PDFs do not work.
- A very long file takes a while in image mode, because every page is drawn again.
Who uses it
Students
Students use this pdf file size reducer to shrink an assignment or a scanned reading before they upload it to a portal with a size limit. They keep the original for printing.
Teachers
Teachers use this pdf shrinker on a scanned worksheet or a set of notes so they can send it by email. They keep the original for the classroom. If a scan is a set of photos, turn it into one PDF first with our Image to PDF tool.
Office workers
Office workers need to reduce pdf size before they attach a report or a contract to an email. They use Clean up first, and switch to image mode only if the file is still too big. Several files for one email? Join them with our Merge PDF tool.
Job seekers
Job seekers shrink a CV or a portfolio PDF so it fits an application portal or an email limit. They check it is still readable first — a blurry CV makes a poor first impression. A CV made in Word can become a PDF with our Word to PDF tool.
Use cases
Each job below is a reason to shrink pdf file size.
- Email attachments
Shrink a PDF so it fits an inbox limit.
- Upload portals
Fit a form, a CV, or an assignment under the cap.
- Scanned documents
Compress scanned pdf files for sending.
- Shared drives
Save space when many people store one file.
- Phone storage
Keep a smaller copy on a full phone.
- Messaging apps
Send a PDF that fits a chat limit.
- Archived reports
Store old reports in less space.
- Print-ready originals
Keep the big file.
- Slow connections
Send a smaller file.
- Classroom handouts
Email notes to a class.
- Client drafts
Share a light copy for review.
- Form submissions
Fit a signed form under the limit.
What this tool cannot do
Clean-up savings are usually modest, and the exact saving depends on the file.
A file of plain text has little to remove, so Clean up may save almost nothing, and image mode may even make it larger.
Smaller file mode rebuilds each page as a picture, so the words are not selectable afterwards.
A locked file is rejected with a clear message.
Larger files are rejected before any work starts.
It does not remove pages, reorder pages, or change the words. To take pages out, use our Split PDF tool.
Common problems and quick fixes
If this tool shows an error, the fix is usually simple. Still stuck? Contact us or browse our Help Center.
The file is rejected as not a PDF
Check that the file really is a PDF. A file renamed to .pdf is still rejected. Export it as a PDF again, then try once more.
The compressed file is larger than the original
This can happen with a file that is already well optimised, or a text-only file run through image mode. Download the original instead.
The text is no longer selectable
You used Smaller file mode, which rebuilds each page as an image. Run the original through Clean up mode instead.
The compression takes a long time
A 200-page file in image mode takes a while, because every page is drawn again. Wait for the progress bar, and do not close the tab.
The download did not start
Allow downloads in your browser, then tap Download compressed PDF again. If it still does not save, try Start over with the same file.
The file is over 50 MB or 200 pages
A file over either limit is rejected before any work starts. Split it into smaller parts first, then compress each part on its own.
Security and privacy
- Your file never leaves your device, because the tool works in your browser
- There is no upload and nothing stored on this site
Legal use
- Use this Compress PDF tool only on files you have the right to use and share
- A PDF still belongs to its creator, so do not share a file you have no right to pass on
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a PDF?
To compress pdf file size, choose a PDF up to 50 MB and 200 pages, pick Clean up or Smaller file mode, and tap Compress PDF. The tool shows the original size, the compressed size, and the size saved. Tap Download compressed PDF to save it.
Is this Compress PDF tool free?
Yes, it is a free pdf compressor. There is no fee, no account and no email. You can use it as often as you need, on your phone or on your computer. The tool works in your browser, so your file is never uploaded to a server.
How much smaller will my PDF get?
That depends on the file. Clean up re-saves the PDF and removes unused objects, which usually saves a little. Smaller file mode rebuilds pages as images and saves more, but the text becomes pictures. The tool shows the real saving for your file, in bytes and as a percentage.
Will the text still be selectable after compression?
In Clean up mode, yes — the text stays as text, selectable and searchable. In Smaller file mode, no — each page becomes an image, so the words are not selectable. Choose Clean up when you need the text to stay as text.
Can I compress a PDF on my phone?
Yes, you can use it on your phone. Open the page in your mobile browser, choose a PDF, and pick a mode. This is a compress pdf on mobile tool, with large buttons and no app to install, and your file stays on your phone.
What is the largest PDF I can compress?
The limit is 50 MB and 200 pages. A file over either limit is rejected before any work starts, with a clear message. If your file is bigger, split it into smaller parts first, then compress each part on its own.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
No, a password-protected PDF cannot be compressed here. The tool cannot open a locked file, so it is rejected with a clear message. Remove the password in the software that made the file, if you have the right to do so.
Why is my compressed PDF larger than the original?
A file that is already well optimised has little left to remove, so a re-save may add a few bytes instead of saving any. A text-only file run through image mode can grow too. The tool says so plainly and lets you download the original instead.
Does my file get uploaded anywhere?
No, your file never leaves your device when you use Compress PDF. This is a browser tool: the PDF is read, shrunk, and saved on your own computer or phone. There is no upload, no account, and nothing stored on this site.
Is this tool linked to Adobe or another PDF company?
No, it is not linked to Adobe or to any other PDF software maker. This Compress PDF tool is a free tool on this site. It works in your browser, never uploads your file, and shows the real sizes before you download.
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Ready to make your PDF smaller?
Choose your file to make pdf smaller, pick a mode, and check the sizes before you download — your file never leaves your device.
Choose Your PDFImportant: The limit is 50 MB and 200 pages per file. Smaller file mode turns text into images, so the words are not selectable. Password-protected PDFs are rejected, and your file never leaves your device.
Disclaimer: This is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Adobe or any other PDF software maker. Use it only with files you have the right to use. Users are responsible for making sure their use of any document complies with applicable copyright laws and the rights of its owner. Read our full disclaimer.