MSMuhammad Shahid

Free tool · runs in your browser

Compress PDF

Make a PDF smaller for email and upload forms, choosing between keeping selectable text and the smallest file.

Quick answer

Choose a PDF and a level, then compare the sizes before downloading. Light tidies the file structure and keeps text selectable, but saves less. Balanced (150 DPI) and Strong (100 DPI) redraw each page as a compressed image, which shrinks scans and image-heavy PDFs the most, but text can no longer be selected. All of it runs in your browser.

How to use it

  1. Choose a PDF. The tool shows its size and page count.
  2. Pick a level. Light keeps text selectable. Balanced and Strong shrink image-heavy files further.
  3. Compare and download. See the size before and after, then save the result.

Example

A scanned document at the Balanced level. Actual savings depend on the file:

Input

scan.pdf: 12 pages of 300 DPI colour scans
Level: Balanced

Output

scan-compressed.pdf
Images are redrawn at 150 DPI with JPEG compression.
Typical result: a much smaller file with no selectable text.

Common errors and how to fix them

This PDF is already well compressed
The result would not be smaller. Try a stronger level, or keep your original.
The result looks blurry
Strong uses 100 DPI. Choose Balanced for clearer small text.

Frequently asked questions

Which level should I use?

Use Balanced for scans and photos, as the file gets much smaller and stays readable. Use Light when you need to select and search the text. Use Strong to hit a tight upload limit.

Why did my text stop being selectable?

Balanced and Strong turn pages into images. Use Light to keep text, or keep your original as well.

Why did my PDF hardly shrink?

Text-based PDFs are already small, as most of their data is compressed text. Most of the savings come from images, so scans shrink the most.

Can a PDF get bigger?

Yes. An image version of a text-only PDF can be larger than the original. The tool tells you when that happens and suggests keeping your original.

How do I make a PDF smaller for email?

Try Balanced. Many email services limit attachments to 20 to 25 MB, and government forms often allow far less, so Strong may be needed.

Is 150 DPI good enough for printing?

It is fine for reading and basic office printing. For fine print, keep the original, as 300 DPI is the usual standard.

Is my document uploaded?

No. The file is processed by your own browser and never leaves your device, so it is safe for private documents.

Does it work on scanned documents?

Yes, and that is where it works best. Scans are large images, which is exactly what this compresses.

What is a good size for a PDF?

Under about 10 MB suits most email and upload forms, and a text document is usually under 1 MB. Check the limit on the form you are using.

Can I shrink the images before making a PDF?

Yes, and it often works better. Use the image compressor, then build the file with JPG to PDF.

Sources

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By Muhammad Shahid. Last updated .