Compress PDF
Reduce the file size of a PDF by choosing a compression level and method. Preview the new size, then download. All processing happens in your browser.
Drag and drop your PDF here
or click below to browse a file
Supports PDF files up to 100 MB.
Compression settings
Compressing your PDF file…
How to compress a PDF
- Upload a PDF. Drag and drop a file onto the upload area, or click Select PDF file. Files up to 100 MB are accepted.
- Choose a compression level. Move the slider between Light, Medium, and High. Higher levels aim for smaller files.
- Pick a method. Choose Balanced, Aggressive, or Light to control how pdf-lib writes the output.
- Compress and download. Click Compress PDF, review the new size and reduction stats, then click Download compressed PDF.
Key features
Three levels, three methods
Combine a compression level (Light, Medium, High) with a method (Balanced, Aggressive, Light) to tune the result.
Live size comparison
See the original size, the compressed size, the reduction percentage, the ratio, and the space saved before downloading.
Runs in your browser
The PDF is read and re-saved locally with pdf-lib. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
Standard PDF output
The downloaded file is a standard PDF that opens in any PDF reader on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
Why compress PDFs
- Smaller attachments. Email providers often cap attachments at 20 to 25 MB. Compressing helps your PDF fit.
- Faster sharing. Smaller PDFs upload and download more quickly.
- Lower storage use. Reduce archive and backup sizes without deleting files.
- Faster web delivery. Compressed PDFs load more quickly when linked from a website.
Frequently asked questions
Is this PDF compressor free?
Yes. The tool is free to use and does not require an account or login.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The PDF is read and re-saved locally with pdf-lib. Nothing is sent to a server.
How much smaller will my PDF be?
It depends on the file. pdf-lib reduces size mainly by re-writing the PDF structure and adjusting object streams. Documents with redundant metadata or duplicated objects often shrink more than already lean files. The exact reduction is shown after compression, before you download.
Will compression reduce quality?
The compression levels and methods in this tool change how pdf-lib writes the file, not the embedded images. This means visual quality is preserved in most cases. If you need to recompress embedded images, use a tool designed for that.
What is the maximum file size?
The tool accepts PDFs up to 100 MB. Very large PDFs may be slow on low-memory devices.
Does the output open in any PDF reader?
Yes. The output is a standard PDF produced by pdf-lib and opens in any modern PDF reader.