Compress PDF
Reduce file size while optimizing for maximal PDF quality.
Select PDF file to compress
Drag and drop it here
Compress PDF reduces file size using Ghostscript-based recompression, with a choice of compression level. Most of a PDF's file size comes from embedded images rather than text, so compression mainly works by downsampling and re-encoding those images at a lower resolution — which is why an image-heavy scanned document can shrink dramatically while a text-only PDF barely changes. Processing runs on the server and the uploaded file is not retained afterward.
What you can do with the Compress PDF
All 3 compression levels are free
Less, Recommended, and Maximum compression are all available with no signup or paid tier — some competitors gate the stronger levels behind a paid plan.
Never makes your file bigger
If a PDF is already optimized and compression wouldn't help, the tool returns your original file instead of a larger one.
Ghostscript-based compression
Uses the same compression engine (Ghostscript) that professional PDF tools rely on.
Deleted immediately after processing
Your file is uploaded temporarily to compress it, then deleted right away — not stored.
How to use the Compress PDF
- 1Open Compress PDF and upload your file.
- 2Choose a compression level: Less, Recommended, or Maximum.
- 3Click Compress.
- 4Download the smaller file.
Common ways people use this
- Shrinking a PDF to fit an email attachment size limit
- Reducing a scanned document's size before uploading it to a portal or form
- Compressing a portfolio or report before sharing it
- Making a PDF load faster when hosted on a website