What is PDF compression?

PDF compression reduces file size by optimizing images, removing unused objects and rewriting streams more efficiently.

Can I compress a PDF to a specific size?

Yes. Choose Custom target size and enter a value in KB or MB. We search for the highest quality result that fits under your target when possible.

Why can't every file reach the exact target size?

Text and vector-heavy PDFs, or files that are already optimized, often have little room left. We stop before quality becomes unusable and show the actual size reached.

How much can a PDF be compressed?

Savings depend on content. Image-heavy PDFs often shrink more than text-only documents.

Does compression reduce quality?

Moderate compression usually keeps text sharp. Aggressive settings or very low targets may lower image quality in scanned pages.

Is the PDF compressor free?

Yes. You can compress PDFs online free without creating an account.

Are uploaded files stored?

This tool compresses PDFs in your browser, so files are not uploaded to our servers.

PDF Tools

Compress PDF Online

Reduce PDF file size online or compress to a specific target size. Free browser PDF compression with no signup.

Private when possible
No account required

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About this tool

Large PDF attachments can be hard to email or upload. This PDF compressor reduces file size with quality presets, or lets you aim for a specific size such as compressing a PDF below 2 MB when the file has enough compressible images.

How to use

Upload the PDF you want to compress.
Choose Best quality, Balanced, Maximum compression, or Custom target size.
If using a custom target, enter the size in KB or MB.
Compress and download the result. Reported sizes always match the real file.

Features

Quality presets plus custom target size
Iterative optimization toward your size goal
Browser-side processing for privacy
Honest results when a target cannot be reached
No account required

Common use cases

Shrink PDFs before emailing
Meet upload size limits
Reduce a PDF to about 1 MB or 2 MB when possible

Supported formats

PDF

Privacy

This tool processes files in your browser. Your files are not uploaded to our servers.

Limitations

Browser compression supports PDFs up to the site upload limit (default 200 MB).
Already highly optimized or text-heavy PDFs may not reach a very small target.
Extreme compression can reduce image clarity in scanned PDFs.
Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked before compression.

Frequently asked questions

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