Guide · 2 min read
How to Compress a PDF
Reduce PDF file size in your browser while controlling quality and image scale.
Maintained by Leslie · Updated
Examples describe expected workflows unless a dated test is explicitly identified. Check the downloaded result against your own document before sharing it.
Why PDFs get large
Most large PDFs are large because of embedded images. Scans, product photos, and slide exports can store images at very high resolution, which inflates the file size.
This tool renders every page as a JPEG image in a new PDF. It can reduce image-heavy files, but text-only PDFs may become larger. Selectable text, links, forms, and other interactive features are not retained.
Compress with quality controls
Upload the PDF and choose a quality setting. Lower quality produces a smaller file, while higher quality keeps more visual detail.
Choose an image scale that matches your use case. Scale controls rendering resolution; the physical page dimensions stay the same. Lower scales can soften text and graphics.
Run the tool, compare output size and readability against the original, then download if the result meets your needs. A smaller output is not guaranteed.
When compression is enough
For email attachments and web uploads, a medium quality setting usually balances size and readability.
For a text-based PDF, removing unnecessary pages may be more appropriate than rasterizing it. Keep the original if you need selectable text or interactive features.
Choose whether an image-only copy is acceptable
For a scanned expense packet needed only for viewing, raster compression may be suitable. For a searchable manual, accessible document, fillable application, or file with working links, use the original or export a smaller version from its authoring application instead.
Example: an upload portal allows 5 MB and your scan is 8 MB. Begin with the default quality and scale, then inspect the output size. If it is still over 5 MB, reduce one setting at a time and compare again. These numbers illustrate a decision process; they are not measured savings or recommended portal limits.
A smaller file must still pass the reading check
Check the smallest print, decimal points, receipt totals, stamps, and barcodes at the size the recipient will use. A readable headline is not enough. Check the page count and physical page size as well as the byte size.
Reject the result if critical detail is blurred or if it is larger than the original. Start another attempt from the original PDF rather than recompressing a lossy output; repeated rasterization can add degradation without solving the size requirement.