Compress PDF — Reduce PDF File Size Online Free
Make your PDF smaller for email, job portals and government websites. Reduce PDF size to under 1 MB, 500 KB or 200 KB while keeping text sharp and readable.
or drop a PDF here · Free · No watermark · Files auto-deleted
How to Compress a PDF File
- Upload the PDF you want to make smaller.
- Choose a compression level: Low, Recommended or Extreme.
- Click Compress PDF.
- Download the smaller file and see how much space you saved.
Choose the right compression level
| Level | Best for | Typical saving |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Printing, high-quality images | 10–30% |
| Recommended | Email, sharing, most uses | 40–70% |
| Extreme | Strict upload limits | 70–90% |
Savings depend on the file. PDFs full of photos or scans shrink the most; text-only PDFs are already small and shrink less.
Why Is My PDF So Large?
Most oversized PDFs contain high-resolution images — often scans or phone photos saved at print quality. Embedded fonts, duplicated resources and hidden metadata add extra weight. Our PDF compressor down-samples images to a screen-friendly resolution, optimizes their encoding and removes unneeded data, so the file becomes much smaller with no visible difference when you read it.
Compress PDF for common upload limits
- Email attachments: many email services cap attachments around 20–25 MB.
- Job and exam portals: often require files under 1 MB, 500 KB or even 200 KB.
- Government and bank forms: frequently limit documents to a few hundred KB.
If one pass isn't enough, try Extreme compression, or split the file with Split PDF and upload the parts separately.
Best practice
Compress as the final step, after you merge PDF files or make edits. Keep your original uncompressed copy for printing.
Compress PDF — FAQ
Does compressing a PDF reduce quality?
Recommended compression keeps text perfectly sharp and images clear on screen. Extreme compression reduces image detail more to hit the smallest size.
How do I compress a PDF to under 200 KB?
Choose Extreme compression. If the result is still too large, remove unnecessary pages with Split PDF and compress again.
Can I compress several PDFs at once?
Yes, upload multiple files and each one will be compressed separately.
Is it safe to compress confidential PDFs?
Files are transferred over encrypted HTTPS and deleted automatically after processing.