How does the PDF compression work?

Each page of your PDF is rendered to an image in your browser, re-encoded as a JPEG at the quality level you pick, and rebuilt into a new PDF that keeps the original page dimensions. Lower quality presets use a lower resolution and stronger JPEG compression, so the file gets smaller.

Will the text still be selectable after compression?

No. Because every page is converted to an image, the resulting pages are pictures — text can no longer be selected, searched, or copied. If you need selectable text, keep the original file or choose the High quality preset for the best visual fidelity.

Which quality preset should I choose?

Use High (~150 DPI) when you want the smallest size while keeping print-friendly clarity. Medium (~110 DPI) is a good balance for on-screen reading and email. Low (~72 DPI) gives the smallest files for quick web sharing where sharpness matters less.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. All compression happens entirely in your browser using pdf.js and jsPDF. Your PDF never leaves your device and is never uploaded anywhere.

Can I compress password-protected PDFs?

Encrypted or password-protected PDFs usually cannot be read in the browser and will show an error. Remove the password with your PDF reader first, then compress the unlocked file.

Compress PDF

Reduce your PDF file size with adjustable quality presets. See exactly how much you save before downloading. 100% private — processed in your browser.

Drag & drop a PDF file here

Only PDF files accepted. Max 50MB per file.

How to Compress a PDF

Reduce your PDF file size in 3 simple steps.

Upload PDF

Drag and drop or click to select a PDF file from your device.

Choose Quality

Pick High, Medium, or Low. Lower quality means a smaller file size.

Compress & Download

Run the compression, review your savings, and download the smaller PDF.

PDF Compression Tips

Get the best balance of quality and file size.

100% Private

All compression happens in your browser using pdf.js and jsPDF. Your files never leave your device.

Text Becomes Images

Every page is rebuilt as an image, so text can no longer be selected, searched, or copied. Keep the original if you need selectable text.

Pick the Right Preset

Medium suits most documents. Use High for print clarity and Low for the smallest web-friendly files.

Best on Scanned PDFs

Image-heavy or scanned PDFs shrink the most. Files that are already optimized may not get much smaller.

Compress PDF FAQ

Common questions about compressing PDF files.