# Compress PDF

URL: https://shahid09.is-a.dev/tools/compress-pdf/
Author: Muhammad Shahid (https://shahid09.is-a.dev/)
Free tool · runs in your browser

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](https://shahid09.is-a.dev/tools/image-compressor/), then build the file with [JPG to PDF](https://shahid09.is-a.dev/tools/jpg-to-pdf/).

## Related

- [Merge PDF](https://shahid09.is-a.dev/tools/merge-pdf/)
- [Image compressor](https://shahid09.is-a.dev/tools/image-compressor/)
- [PDF to JPG](https://shahid09.is-a.dev/tools/pdf-to-jpg/)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: PDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF)
- [Wikipedia: JPEG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPEG)