Compress PDF
Reduce PDF file size with three preset levels.
Open Compress PDF →What is Compress PDF?
A free, private tool that reduces a PDF's file size using three preset levels. It runs entirely in your browser, so your document is never uploaded — useful when a PDF is too big to email or attach. Start with the lightest level, and only go heavier if the file is still too large.
How to use Compress PDF
- Add your PDF — Drop a PDF onto the page or click to choose a file. The tool shows its page count and original size.
- Pick a compression level — Choose Light, Medium or Strong. Light removes object-stream bloat and keeps text selectable; Medium and Strong re-image the pages for a bigger reduction.
- Check the result — The toolbar shows the new size and how much was saved, so you can see whether the level you chose did enough.
- Download — Use the Download button to save the smaller PDF to your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded to compress it?
No. Compression happens entirely in your browser, so the file never leaves your device and the tool works offline after the first load.
What do the three levels do?
Light removes object-stream bloat and keeps text selectable, for roughly 10 to 30 percent smaller. Medium and Strong rasterise every page — text becomes a picture — to shrink the file much further.
Will the text stay selectable?
On Light, yes — the text remains real, selectable text. On Medium and Strong the pages are turned into images, so the text is no longer selectable or searchable.
Which level should I use?
Try Light first; it keeps quality and selectable text. Only move to Medium or Strong if the file is still too big for what you need.
Tips
- Always start with Light to keep your text selectable and searchable.
- Watch the saved figure in the toolbar to judge whether a heavier level is worth it.
- If Strong makes text look fuzzy, step back to a lighter level and accept a larger file.