Compress a PDF
Reduce the size of a PDF. “Light” optimizes the file structure; “Strong” re-encodes pages for maximum savings. Everything runs locally in your browser — your file is never uploaded to a server.
Drop a PDF here or click to browse
Stays on this device — never uploaded
Choose filesAbout compress pdf
Make a PDF smaller so it's easier to email, upload or store. Light mode losslessly optimizes the file's structure and keeps text crisp and selectable; Strong mode re-encodes each page as an image for the biggest possible size reduction.
Compression happens locally in your browser, so your document is never uploaded. Try Light first — it's usually enough to get under common email and upload limits without any visible quality loss.
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Questions, answered
Q.Why does strong compression make text non-selectable?
Strong mode renders each page to an image and re-embeds it, which maximizes size reduction but turns text into pixels. Use Light mode to keep selectable text.
Q.How small can it make my PDF?
It depends on the file. Text-heavy PDFs shrink most with Light mode; scan- or image-heavy PDFs shrink most with Strong mode. There's no fixed target — you control the trade-off.
Q.Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Every operation runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript, so your files never leave your device. Open your browser's Network tab and watch — nothing is sent or stored.
Q.Is it free? Do I need an account or to install anything?
It's completely free with no sign-up, no email and nothing to install. There are no daily limits and no watermarks on your output.
Q.Does it work on Mac, Windows, Chromebook and phones?
Yes. It runs in any modern browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari — on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, iPhone and Android. There is nothing to download.