Compress PDF
Compress PDF is a free tool that reduces PDF file size directly in your browser, choosing between a lossless re-optimization and a stronger rasterizing mode.
Drop PDF files here or click to browse
Files stay in your burrow: everything is processed on your device, never uploaded.
How to use this tool
- 1Drop your PDF into the tool.
- 2Pick a mode: Lossless optimize (keeps text selectable) or Strong (renders pages as compressed images for maximum size reduction).
- 3Adjust the quality or DPI slider if you chose Strong.
- 4Click Compress, compare before/after sizes, and download.
FAQ
What is the difference between Lossless and Strong mode?
Lossless rebuilds the PDF structure and strips redundant metadata, so text stays selectable and quality is unchanged. The savings are usually modest. Strong re-renders each page as a compressed JPEG, which can cut size dramatically but makes text part of the image.
Which mode should I choose for scanned documents?
Strong mode. Scanned PDFs are mostly page images already, so re-encoding them at 120–150 DPI with 70% quality typically halves or quarters the size with little visible difference.
Why did Lossless mode barely shrink my file?
Some PDFs are already well optimized. If the document contains no large images or redundant objects, there is little left to remove without quality loss. Try Strong mode instead.
Will Strong mode make my text fuzzy?
Sometimes, yes. Small print can go soft at low DPI because text becomes pixels. Start with Strong at 150 DPI and check a text-heavy page before committing; if it looks rough, use Lossless or raise the DPI.