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PDF utility

Compress a PDF with clear tradeoffs.

This browser tool renders PDF pages as JPEG images and rebuilds a smaller copy. It can help with image-heavy PDFs, but selectable text, links, and form fields may be removed.

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File limits and size targets

Choose a PDF up to 30 MB with no more than 40 pages. Longer documents are rejected without exporting a partial copy; use Split PDF to create smaller sections first. Lower resolution changes image detail, not the printed page dimensions.

No fixed target, including 100 KB, is guaranteed. Scanned pages may shrink, while an already optimized text PDF can become larger. Compare the original and result sizes, then zoom in to check small text before choosing which file to keep.

Choose a PDF

Use lower quality for smaller files. Use higher resolution when readability matters more than size.

Image-based outputNo server uploadCheck readability
1Choose a PDF
2Pick compression
3Download and compare

Choose one PDF to compress.

Important limitation

Raster compression

The compressed PDF may no longer contain selectable text, links, bookmarks, signatures, or form fields. Do not use this method for contracts, official records, signed PDFs, or accessibility-critical documents.

How to choose compression settings

PDF compression is a tradeoff between file size and readability. This tool creates an image-based copy, which is helpful for many scanned files but not ideal for every document.

1

Start with Balanced

Balanced resolution and JPEG quality usually reduce image-heavy PDFs while keeping receipts, forms, and notes readable on phones and laptops.

2

Use sharper settings for small text

If the document has small print, tables, diagrams, or ID numbers, choose a sharper option and accept a larger file size.

3

Avoid official master copies

Because raster compression can remove selectable text, links, bookmarks, form fields, and signatures, keep an original uncompressed PDF for records.

When compression helps most

Best fit

This tool is best for scanned notes, photo-heavy PDFs, large receipts, and non-critical files that need to fit an upload limit. It is not the right choice for accessibility-first documents, digitally signed files, searchable archives, or legal paperwork where original text and metadata must be preserved.

FAQs

Why could the file get larger?

Some PDFs are already optimized. Rasterizing them can add image data and increase size.

Does it preserve searchable text?

Usually no. This compression creates image-based pages.

What setting should I choose?

Start with Balanced, then open the output and check readability.