Will my text become blurry?

Real, selectable text is never touched - it stays sharp at any compression level. Text inside a scanned image is part of the image, so at Extreme settings it can soften. Use Recommended for scans you need to read closely.

Files are transferred over HTTPS and deleted from our servers automatically after processing. We never read, store long-term, or share your documents.

Can I compress a signed PDF?

Yes, but heavy compression re-encodes the document, which can invalidate cryptographic digital signatures. Visual signatures (drawn or image-based) are fine.

Why did my file get bigger?

Rare, but happens with already heavily-optimized PDFs. If the output is larger, keep the original.

What if one pass doesn't hit my size limit?

Use the Extreme setting rather than compressing twice - double compression degrades images faster than one stronger pass.

PDF Compress

PDF Compress helps when the next step is simple: make the file smaller while keeping it usable. It is built for quick fixes, checks, and downloads.

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Compress PDF Files Online

Most PDFs are bigger than they need to be - a 10-page scan can hit 40 MB because each page is stored as a high-resolution photo. Choose how aggressive the compression should be, preview the result, and download. Files are sent encrypted and deleted automatically once your download is ready.

How to Use This Tool

1. Select File

2. Processing

3. Download File

What you can do with PDF Compress

PDF Compress reduces file size by re-encoding the images inside your PDF at lower quality or resolution. Text and vector graphics are untouched - they're tiny already.

When PDF Compress helps

A PDF's size is dominated by its images. That's why scanned PDFs shrink dramatically (often 70-90%), design-heavy brochures land in between, and text-only contracts barely change - if your 2 MB text PDF only drops to 1.9 MB, it was already efficient.

How the PDF is handled

Upload the PDF, pick a level - Recommended balances size and readability, Extreme is for strict upload caps where some image softness is acceptable - then compare the before/after size on screen and download.

Common PDF Compress tasks

Getting a 38 MB scan under a 5 MB portal limit
Fitting attachments under Gmail and Outlook's 25 MB cap
Shrinking a 12 MB slide-deck export to around 3 MB
Reducing brochure PDFs before publishing them on a website
Compressing signed contracts for archiving

Why this PDF tool is handy

Scans often come out 70-90% smaller
You control the size/quality trade-off
Selectable text never blurs
One stronger pass beats compressing twice
Free with no watermark

What is included

Adjustable compression levels with before/after size shown
Scanned PDFs typically shrink 70-90%
Real text stays sharp at every setting
Fits Gmail/Outlook 25 MB limits and 2-10 MB portal caps
Handles 100 MB+ files
No watermark on output
Encrypted transfer, automatic deletion

"Compression is about knowing what's inside your PDF: scans shrink a lot, text barely at all. Set expectations accordingly and use Recommended unless a hard upload cap forces Extreme."

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Create PDF helps when the next step is simple: create a new PDF with text, images, shapes, pages, and signatures. It is built for quick fixes, checks, and downloads.

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