PDF compressor

Compress PDF

Compress PDF files to a fraction of their size while text, stamps and signatures stay sharp. You see the estimated size and a preview of your own page before you pay, and signed PDFs are never altered.

Drop your PDF here

or click to browse, or paste with Ctrl+V

Free up to 20 MB / 100 pages, up to 3 files · with credits up to 200 MB per file

Text, stamps and signatures stay sharp
No sign-up, works on any device
Auto-deleted after 24 hours (free)

Compressed page — Real output on a sample invoice scan (made-up company and figures): page 1 of 3, compressed with the Recommended option. Drag the slider, then zoom in.

Original page — Real output on a sample invoice scan (made-up company and figures): page 1 of 3, compressed with the Recommended option. Drag the slider, then zoom in.

How it works

How to compress a PDF

Drop your PDF
Drag files into the box, paste them with Ctrl+V, or pick them from your phone or computer. Up to 3 files fit in one free batch.
Read the estimate
A few seconds of analysis show how small each file can get at Recommended, Smaller and Smallest, with a crop of one of your own pages.
Pick a level or a size
Choose a level, or choose Custom size and type the limit you need, such as 2 MB. If one file can’t fit, the tool tells you before you run it.
Download
Download each file or the whole batch as a ZIP from your results page. Files are deleted automatically afterwards.

Why it’s different

A compressor built for real documents

Smaller files that stay as readable as the original.

Text stays crisp and searchable

Letters and digits keep their sharp edges, and text you could select and search in the original stays selectable and searchable.

Stamps and ink keep their color

Red seals and blue ink signatures stay in color instead of being flattened to gray.

You only pay for files you receive

If a file can’t get smaller you get the original back free, and a custom size that can’t be reached is not charged.

Good to know

How does PDF compression work?

Compression makes a PDF smaller by storing the same pages more efficiently. In most documents the weight sits in images: scanned pages, photos and logos. Images in the file are made just as sharp as reading and printing need, while text, page size and page order stay as they are.

That is why the result depends on the file. A 30-page scan is almost entirely images and usually has plenty of room to shrink. A report exported from a word processor is mostly text, is already compact and shrinks less. The analysis step measures your own file instead of guessing.

Which compression level should I choose?

Recommended suits most documents: the file gets clearly smaller and small print stays sharp. Smaller trades a little fine detail for a lighter file, which is fine for reading on screen. Smallest gives the lightest file; check small print and stamps in the preview before you send it anywhere official.

If you have a hard limit, skip the levels and choose Custom size. Type the limit from the upload form and the tool aims for one file under it, or tells you up front that the file needs to be split into parts. For the common 1 MB limit there is a page with the target already set.

Compression levels at a glance
Level	Result	Good for
Recommended	Smaller file, text stays sharp	Most documents, anything official
Smaller	Lighter file, fine detail softens slightly	Reading on screen, email
Smallest	Lightest file, check small print in the preview	Strict size limits
Custom size	Aims for one file under your limit, or tells you to split	Forms that state a limit

Can I compress a PDF that has been digitally signed?

Not the signed file itself, and that is deliberate. A digital signature protects the exact bytes of a document, so any compression would make the signature report the file as modified. Signed PDFs are detected when you add them and left untouched.

If you only need a lighter copy to read or archive, you can opt in to an unsigned copy. It is clearly marked on every page and never replaces your signed original. For documents you still have to sign, compress first and sign last; the guide to signed PDFs explains why.

What happens to my file after compressing?

Your file is processed for your job only and is encrypted in transit and at rest. You download the result from your results page; nothing is sent by email. Files are deleted automatically 24 hours after processing on the free tier, 3 days with credits and 7 days with Pro. You can also press Delete now as soon as you have your download.

How big can the PDF be?

On the free tier each file can be up to 100 MB and 500 pages, and you get 5 free credits every day, enough for one Recommended compression of up to 20 pages. Credits raise the limit to 200 MB and 2000 pages per file and allow up to 10 files at a time. Current prices for credit packs and Pro plans are on the pricing page, and every price is shown before you run anything.

Limits per file
Limit	Free	Credits	Pro
File size	100 MB	200 MB	200 MB
Pages	500	2000	2000
Files per job	3	10	20
Files kept for	24 hours	3 days	7 days

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Will compression blur stamps or signatures?

Not at the Recommended level. Text and digits stay crisp, and red stamps and ink signatures keep their color. Before you download, drag the comparison slider over a crop of your own page and zoom in to check the small print.

How much smaller will my PDF get?

It depends on what is inside. Scanned pages and photos leave the most room; PDFs made of text are already compact and shrink less. Rather than promise a percentage, the tool estimates the size of your own file at each level before you run anything.

How do I compress a PDF to under 1 MB, 2 MB or 5 MB?

Choose Custom size and type the limit, or tap one of the quick sizes. You see whether it fits before you start. If one file can’t get under the limit, you can take the smallest version or split it into parts that each fit.

What if my PDF can’t get any smaller?

You get the original back and nothing is charged. This happens with files that are already well optimized. If a custom size can’t be reached, you pay nothing and can still take the smallest version or split the file.

Can I compress a digitally signed PDF?

Not the signed file itself. Compressing changes the file’s bytes, so a digital signature would become invalid. Compress before signing, and keep signed originals as they are. If you only need a copy for viewing, you can opt in to an unsigned copy that is clearly marked on every page.

When do I pay, and for what?

Only after you have seen what you get. The estimated size and a preview of your own page appear before anything is charged, and you only pay for files you receive: if a file can’t get smaller you get the original back free, and a size target that can’t be reached costs nothing.

Is it free? What are the limits?

Yes. On the free tier each file can be up to 100 MB and 500 pages. You get 5 free credits every day (enough for one Recommended compression of up to 20 pages). Merge, split, organize and image tools are free for files up to 20 MB / 100 pages. Up to 3 files at a time (10 with credits, 20 with Pro). Credits raise the limit to 200 MB and 2000 pages per file.

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