Reduce PDF size without uploading it
Scanned forms, photographed documents and PDFs full of pictures are often too big for email attachments, WhatsApp, or government and job portals that cap uploads at 1–2 MB. This tool opens the PDF in your browser, redraws each page at a sensible resolution, and saves a much lighter copy. Because it never leaves your device, it is safe for ID cards, bank statements and other private papers.
How to compress a PDF
- Drop your PDF above or click to choose it.
- Pick a level. Start with Recommended; switch to Strong if the file is still too big.
- Press Compress PDF and download the result. The new size is shown before you download.
Which level should I choose?
| Level | Use it for | Typical saving on scans |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Documents you may print, small text, signatures | 30–60% |
| Recommended | Email, WhatsApp, online application forms | 50–80% |
| Strong | Strict size limits such as 200 KB or 500 KB uploads | 70–90% |
Good to know
- PDFs that are mostly typed text (for example, exported from Word) are usually small already. If compressing one would make it bigger, the tool tells you and you can keep the original.
- The compressed copy is an image of each page, so text can't be selected. Keep the original if you need to copy or search the text.
- Need to turn photos into a PDF first? Use JPG to PDF, and shrink the photos with the image compressor.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to compress a private PDF here?
Yes. The PDF is read and rebuilt by your browser on your own device. It is not uploaded to Quick Tools or any other server.
How small will my PDF get?
Scanned and photo-heavy PDFs usually shrink by 50–90%. PDFs that are mostly typed text are already compact and may not get smaller.
Can I still select text after compressing?
No. Pages are saved as images to make them smaller, so the text can no longer be selected or searched. Keep your original file if you need that.
Is there a page or size limit?
There is no fixed limit. Very large PDFs (hundreds of pages) depend on your device memory and may take a minute on a phone.
Does it work with password-protected PDFs?
Not yet. Remove the password in your PDF reader first, then compress the unlocked copy.