PDF Compressor
Make a PDF smaller without guessing what happened to its pages. Compare the real byte counts and keep text when the document allows it.
Open a PDF, compare three sizes, save the one that fits.
PDF Compressor is in your dock. Everything you started is still there.
Smaller files, with the trade visible.
Drop a PDF, compare three browser-side candidates, then save the one that fits your work.
A PDF goes in. A lighter file comes out.
Your file stays in this browser. Up to 100 MB and 2,000 pages.
PDFs stay in your browser.Privacy details
Compress a PDF in three steps
Open one PDF
Drop a PDF or choose it from your device. It stays in this browser while the candidates are made.
Compare the candidates
Preserve keeps the document structure. Balanced and Smallest render pages with stated resolution and JPEG quality.
Save the one that fits
Choose a mode, check the exact bytes and the first page preview, then save a PDF with no watermark.
Using PDF Compressor
The panel starts with a first-page preview and three candidate sizes. Wait for the byte counts, then select the mode that matches your document.
Choose a compression mode
Each card states what it changes. The selected card controls the Save smaller PDF button in the file bar.
| Mode | What it does | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Preserve | Rewrites the PDF with object streams and removes document metadata. Text, fonts and vectors stay intact. | You need search, copy, accessibility or later editing. |
| Balanced | Renders pages at 144 ppi and JPEG quality 82. It keeps the page appearance but turns text into pixels. | You have scans or photographs and need a smaller attachment. |
| Smallest | Renders at 96 ppi and JPEG quality 68. Fine print and small diagrams need checking. | You have a strict upload limit and can accept visible quality loss. |
Read the size before saving
Original, Selected result and Change show the bytes for the mode you chose. A positive percentage means the candidate grew. That is useful information, not a failure hidden behind a green check.
The preview is the first page from your original PDF. It helps you judge the page before choosing a raster mode. Use your PDF reader to inspect later pages when small type matters.
File bar and workspace
Open another replaces the current document. Clear returns to the drop zone. Save smaller PDF writes the selected candidate. Narrow, Wide and Full at the top right change the workspace width without reloading the PDF.
| Control | Effect |
|---|---|
| Preview result | Moves focus to the page preview. It does not save or upload anything. |
| Preserve, Balanced, Smallest | Selects the candidate used by the numbers and the save button. |
| Save smaller PDF | Saves the selected candidate as a new PDF and records only a numeric completion. |
| Clear | Releases the PDF, candidates and preview from this tab. |
Keyboard access
Use Tab to move through the file bar and mode cards. Use Space to select a mode and Enter to save. There are no custom shortcuts.
What it will not do
The raster modes do not preserve selectable text. Password-protected PDFs, PDFs over 100 MB and documents over 2,000 pages are refused. A PDF that is already well optimised may not get smaller. The tool shows that result instead of returning a larger file without explanation.
Frequently asked questions
Does the PDF leave my device?
No. The PDF is read, rendered and written in this browser. It is not sent to a compression service or saved to your account.
Which mode keeps selectable text?
Preserve keeps text, fonts, vector shapes and page structure. Balanced and Smallest draw each page into a JPEG, so their text looks the same but is no longer selectable.
Why did my PDF get bigger?
A PDF that is already optimised can be smaller than a page raster. This tool shows the exact bytes for every candidate. Choose the smallest result, or keep the original when every candidate is larger.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
No. The browser cannot safely rebuild an encrypted document without its opening password. Unlock it in the PDF app that created it, save an unlocked copy, then compress that copy.
What is the size limit?
One PDF up to 100 MB and 2,000 pages. Very large pages may be refused by the raster modes when their chosen resolution would exceed the browser memory limit.
Something missing? Request a feature