Use Balanced as your default level
The Balanced level is recommended for most files. It delivers good quality with a strong size reduction, which is the sweet spot for emailing, uploading, or storing documents.
PDF Compressor
Drag your PDF here
Or click to browse your files
Supports PDF files up to 250 MB
About PDF Compressor
Our free online PDF compressor reduces the file size of your documents without an account or signup. Whether you're shrinking a PDF for an email attachment, a submission portal, or just to save space, the tool optimizes your file in seconds.
Choose Best quality, Balanced, or Smallest file to control the trade-off between image clarity and file size. Supported text PDFs generally retain searchable text, but results vary by document.
Your PDF and generated result may be retained during processing and for up to 24 hours until the next scheduled cleanup. No account is required.
The tool is built for professionals, students, and anyone who needs a smaller PDF while reviewing the result for acceptable readability.
New to PDF Compressor Guide?
Reduce PDF file size with selectable compression profiles and review the resulting document.
Help & Tips
Get the best results from PDF Compressor
Pick Best quality for image-heavy documents
If your PDF contains photos, scanned graphics, or detailed illustrations, choose Best quality to keep images clearer while still shrinking the file.
Choose Smallest file for email and strict upload limits
Gmail caps attachments around 25MB and many portals cap uploads even lower. Smallest file gives you the strongest compression when hitting a size limit matters more than image clarity.
Keep text-based documents readable
Compression focuses on embedded images and structure, so text stays crisp, searchable, and selectable. That makes it safe to compress reports, contracts, and forms.
Compress again if you need a smaller file
If the result is still larger than you'd like, run the file through a stronger level for an additional reduction.
Review the result before downloading
Check the original size, compressed size, and total reduction shown in the result summary before you download, so you know exactly how much you saved.
How It Works
Compress your PDF in three simple steps
1
Choose Your PDF
Drag and drop a PDF or click to browse your files, up to the supported size limit.
2
Pick a Compression Level
Choose Best quality, Balanced, or Smallest file, then press Compress.
3
Download the Result
Get your smaller PDF instantly, with the total size reduction shown.
Why Choose Our PDF Compressor
Three selectable compression levels
Choose between Best quality, Balanced, and Smallest file so you control the trade-off between image clarity and file size for every document.
Temporary processing and retention
Your PDF and generated result may be retained during processing and for up to 24 hours until the next scheduled cleanup.
Text-aware compression
Supported text PDFs generally retain searchable text, but scanned, image-only, damaged, or fallback-processed documents may behave differently.
Perfect For
Email Attachments
Shrink oversized PDFs so they fit within Gmail and Outlook limits.
Sharing & Uploads
Reduce file size before sharing documents or submitting to portals.
Storage & Archiving
Save space while keeping documents readable and searchable.
Client Deliverables
Send polished, compact PDFs for reports, proposals, and portfolios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this PDF compressor free to use?+
Yes, completely free. You can compress PDF files without creating an account or purchasing a subscription, and there are no hidden limits on the number of PDFs you can compress.
Does compressing a PDF reduce the quality of the text?+
No. Text stays crisp and remains searchable and selectable after compression. The tool focuses on optimizing embedded images and document structure while keeping text intact.
What compression level should I choose?+
Use 'Best quality' when you want the clearest images with a modest size reduction, 'Balanced' for a good trade-off between quality and size, a great default, or 'Smallest file' when you need the strongest compression for sharing and uploads.
Can I compress a PDF to fit an email attachment limit?+
Yes. Gmail and Outlook cap attachments at around 25MB and 20MB. Choose 'Smallest file' to shrink a large PDF below these limits while keeping the document readable.
Can I compress a PDF more than once?+
Yes. If the file is still larger than you'd like after the first pass, you can compress it again with a stronger level to reduce it further.
Are my PDFs stored on your servers?+
The PDF and generated result may be retained during processing and for up to 24 hours until the next scheduled cleanup. No account is required.
Which PDF files can I compress?+
Any standard PDF file up to the supported size limit can be compressed, whether it's a document, report, scan, or form. Text-heavy PDFs generally compress very well, while already-optimized files may see a smaller reduction.
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