Scans

Compress scanned PDFs, keep the text sharp

Compress scanned PDFs of contracts, IDs and certificates while digits, red stamps and signatures stay legible. Check a crop of your own scan at each level before you pay anything.

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

Made for paper scans
Digits are never altered
Red stamps stay red

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 scanned PDF

Scan or collect the pages
Scan at the resolution your scanner suggests for documents, or use a PDF your scanner app already made. There is no need to lower the quality yourself first.
Drop the scan
Recommended is preselected on this page. Several scans can go in one batch.
Compare on your own page
Drag the slider across a crop of your scan and zoom in on small print and stamps. Switch to Smaller or Smallest if you need a lighter file.
Download
Download the compressed scan, or the batch as a ZIP. Page size, order and count stay as in the original.

Why it’s different

Why scans compress well here

Tuned for paper documents

Printed and handwritten pages shrink the most while still reading like the original.

Numbers stay readable

Every digit and small character stays legible at Recommended, and digits are kept exactly as they are at every level.

Structure untouched

Page size, order and page count stay exactly as in the original scan.

Good to know

Why are scanned PDFs so large?

A scanned PDF is a stack of pictures, one per page. Scanners and scanner apps save each picture at full quality, whatever is on it, so a 30-page contract can easily weigh tens of megabytes, far above the limits of most email services and upload forms.

Color scans weigh the most, because every page carries color information even when the paper is mostly white. That is also where compression has the most room to work.

Will stamps and signatures still look original?

Yes, at the Recommended level. Red seals stay red and blue ink stays blue instead of being turned gray, and thin signature strokes stay continuous.

Does compression change the text or numbers?

No. Compression changes how the page images are stored, not what they show. Digits are kept exactly as they are, and pages keep their size, order and count. If your scan has a text layer from OCR, it stays selectable and searchable.

Phone scans and photos of documents

Scanner apps on phones often produce very large PDFs because they keep the full camera resolution. They compress the same way as flatbed scans. If you have loose photos instead of a PDF, turn them into one document with JPG to PDF first, then compress it here.

Should I keep the original scan?

For anything you may need to reprint or prove later, yes. Keep the original scan in your own archive and use the compressed copy for email, uploads and everyday sharing. Compression never touches the file on your device; you download a new, smaller copy.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which level should I choose for a scan?

Recommended suits most scans. Choose Smaller or Smallest when you need a lighter file, and check the preview: zoom in on the smallest print on the page, because that is what softens first.

Will red stamps turn gray?

Not at Recommended: stamps, seals and colored ink keep their color. Lighter levels remove more detail, so check stamps in the preview before you choose one. Scans that are grayscale to begin with stay grayscale.

Can I compress a scanned ID card or passport?

Yes. IDs, passports and certificates are typical scans. Check the ID number and the photo in the preview at the level you choose. Files are encrypted, deleted automatically, and you can delete them right after downloading.

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.

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.

How long do you keep my files?

Files are deleted automatically 24 hours after processing on the free tier, 3 days with credits and 7 days with Pro. You can press “Delete now” at any time, or keep a file 30 days for 2 credits. Only you can download files from your results page, unless you create a share link yourself (up to 24 hours or until the file is deleted, and you can revoke it). Files are never sent by email.

Make your scans lighter

Drop several scans at once.

Compress a scan →