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PDF4 min readUpdated 21 October 2026Steps checked against the tool on 21 October 2026

How to compress a PDF and reduce its file size

Images and scanned pages are common reasons for large PDF files. Text and simple drawings usually take much less space.

Compress PDF makes a file smaller by re-encoding those pictures. Text and drawings are kept as they were. How small a PDF can get depends on the original file and on how much image quality you can accept.

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Compress PDF

Works in your browser. No signup.

Compress a PDF
  1. Step 1Choose PDF
  2. Step 2Pick mode or size limit
  3. Step 3Check result
  4. Step 4Download

Step by step

  1. 1

    Choose your PDF

    Open Compress PDF and choose one PDF, up to 100 MB. It is processed in your browser and not uploaded.

  2. 2

    Choose how to compress

    Pick Quick compression and a mode (Recommended, Smaller file or Best quality), or pick Compress to a size limit and choose 50 KB, 100 KB, 200 KB, 300 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB or a custom size in KB or MB.

  3. 3

    Read the result

    You see the size before and after. With a size limit, the tool tells you whether the limit was achieved or not reached, and keeps the best quality that fits.

  4. 4

    Check and download

    Look at the page preview, then click Download Compressed PDF. If the target cannot be reached, the tool tells you and offers the smallest result it generated. Check every page for readability before using it.

Can every PDF get under 200 KB?

No. A short PDF made from Word or a browser often fits easily. A long scanned document, or one full of photos, may not reach 200 KB while staying readable.

If the target cannot be reached, the tool tells you and offers the smallest result it generated. Check every page for readability before using it. If very strong compression was needed, it asks you to check the document before uploading.

What to try if it is still too large

Remove pages you do not need with Split PDF, then compress again.

Converting a colour scan with PDF to Grayscale and then compressing may help, because colour detail is removed. Check the result, as the saving depends on the file.

Questions

Does compressing make text blurry?

Real text, such as text from a Word export, is kept as text and stays sharp. Pictures, including scanned pages, are re-encoded and can look softer, so zoom into the preview before downloading.

Why did my file not get any smaller?

Some PDFs are already well optimised or contain no large images. In that case the tool tells you and keeps your original file.

Free tool

Compress PDF

Compress a PDF

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