Compress PDF online
Try to reduce a PDF’s file size using a compression preset. Scan-heavy documents often have more room to shrink than PDFs that already contain compact text and optimized images. The result depends on the source; no particular reduction or email attachment size is guaranteed.
100 MB per file · up to 500 pages per job · one job at a time. Files are temporary, expire within 24 hours and are cleaned up automatically. Download results promptly; service restarts can remove them earlier.
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What Compress PDF does
Try to reduce a PDF’s file size using a compression preset. Scan-heavy documents often have more room to shrink than PDFs that already contain compact text and optimized images. The result depends on the source; no particular reduction or email attachment size is guaranteed.
How to use this tool
- Upload one PDF and select any page settings.
- Choose Maximum quality, Balanced or Smallest file.
- Process, compare the downloaded size and inspect small text and images.
Common uses
- Prepare a scanned application packet for an email attachment while retaining readable signatures and fine print.
- Reduce the size of an image-heavy archive before sharing a temporary download. Keep the source outside the service as your backup.
- Compare Balanced and Smallest file versions of a photographed report before choosing the one your recipient can read.
- Keep a detail-sensitive diagram or certificate readable with Maximum quality, then compare whether the resulting size fits the intended workflow.
Tips for better results
- Start with Balanced on your original. Compare the result’s byte size with the recipient’s attachment limit; there is no guaranteed target-size setting.
- Inspect small labels, signatures and photos at reading size. Maximum quality is useful when preserving image detail matters more than the smallest download.
- Compare every preset against the same original. Repeatedly compressing an already compressed copy can lose detail without providing a useful size reduction.
- If an optimized file remains too large, consider splitting required sections or removing unnecessary pages. Check that the recipient accepts several documents first.
Formats and limits
- Input
- Output
- Current file limit
- 100 MB per file, up to 500 pages per job, one job at a time. Shared usage quotas apply.
Smaller presets can trade image detail for size. Compression cannot guarantee a specific target size, and digitally signed documents may need extra review.
Questions about Compress PDF
Which preset should I start with?
Balanced is a reasonable first comparison. Use Maximum quality for detail-sensitive pages and inspect Smallest file before sending it.
Why is the output not much smaller?
The source may already be optimized, or contain content that does not compress substantially. Results vary by document.
Can I compress a PDF to exactly 1 MB?
There is no target-byte-size control. The presets make different tradeoffs and the result depends on the source. Compare the downloaded file with your actual limit.
Why can a smaller preset reduce readability?
Image detail can be discarded to save space. Inspect small characters and thin diagram lines rather than judging a thumbnail alone.
Will an already optimized PDF shrink much?
It may change very little. A document containing compact text or previously compressed images can have limited space to save.
Should I run compression before OCR?
Use a readable original for recognition. If OCR is needed, compare the recognized result before trying to reduce its size; overly compressed small text can be harder to recognize.
Can I reduce a PDF below 200 KB or 500 KB for an application?
You can compare presets and measure the result against the portal limit, but there is no exact-size control or guaranteed result. Keep required pages readable and follow the destination instructions.
Your files and privacy
Documents are uploaded over HTTPS to the hosted service. Files are temporary and protected by your browser session. Download results promptly and keep a local copy before temporary files expire.
Read document handling details · Review security and processing limits
Related PDF tools
Practical guide
Choose a PDF compression preset, compare file sizes and inspect text and images before sending a smaller document.
How to compress a PDF without losing important detail