PDF Compressor
Compress PDF files online for email, websites and document sharing. Choose compression quality, reduce file size in your browser, and download the optimized PDF without uploading the document to a server.
About this pdf compressor
A large PDF is one of the most common reasons an email bounces back or a website page loads slowly. This tool rebuilds your PDF at a smaller file size by re-rendering each page at your chosen quality level, all inside your browser tab, so the original document never has to leave your device.
How pdf compressor works
Each page of your PDF is rendered onto a canvas and re-encoded at the compression level you choose, then rebuilt into a new, smaller PDF. This approach works especially well on scanned documents and image-heavy files. A PDF that is mostly typed text is already compact, so the size reduction there will be smaller than on a scanned contract or a photo-heavy brochure.
Common uses
- Shrinking a scanned document so it fits under an email attachment limit
- Speeding up a website by reducing the size of downloadable PDF brochures
- Archiving large reports without using excessive storage
- Preparing a document to share over a slow connection
How to use this tool
- Choose your PDF file.
- Pick a compression level: Smaller file size, Balanced, or Higher quality.
- Click Compress PDF and wait while it processes in your browser.
- Download the smaller file and check that text and images are still clear enough for your purpose.
What to know before using it
Maximum recommended file size: comfortably handles PDFs up to around 50 MB; larger files still work but take longer since everything runs on your device rather than a server. Quality considerations: the Balanced setting suits most documents, Smaller file size is best for drafts and archives, and Higher quality should be used for documents with fine print or detailed diagrams that will be printed. Email attachment limits: Gmail and Outlook generally cap attachments around 20 to 25 MB, if your compressed file is still too large, try a lower quality setting or split it with the PDF Splitter instead. Scanned PDFs compress especially well since they are really a series of photos, start with the Smaller file size setting first.
Privacy and browser-first processing
PDF Compressor processes your document entirely inside your browser tab. The file is never uploaded to this server or any third-party service, it exists only on your device from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
Will compressing my PDF make the text blurry?
Text usually stays sharp even at the Smaller file size setting, since it is mostly affected on scanned image pages rather than typed, selectable text. If you notice blurring, step up to Balanced or Higher quality and try again.
Why didn't my file get much smaller?
PDFs that are mostly typed text are already compact and will not shrink much further, compression gives the biggest wins on scanned pages and image-heavy documents.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no hard limit, but very large files (over roughly 50 MB) will take longer to process since everything happens in your browser rather than on a server.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere while it compresses?
No. The entire process runs locally in your browser tab, your file never leaves your device.
What is the best setting for emailing a document?
Try Balanced first. If the result is still over your email provider's attachment limit (commonly 20 to 25 MB), drop to Smaller file size or split the document into parts.