Maximum recommended size: 50 MB
About PDF Compression
How does PDF compression work?
PDF compression reduces file size by converting each page into an optimized JPEG image, then reassembling those images into a new PDF. This is effective for documents containing high-resolution images, scanned pages, or embedded graphics. The trade-off is that text becomes non-selectable in the compressed version.
When should I compress a PDF?
Compress PDFs when you need to email large documents, upload them to systems with file size limits, or reduce storage usage. For text-heavy documents that are already small, compression may not provide meaningful reduction — the original is likely already efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my compressed PDF still have selectable text?
No. This tool converts each page to a JPEG image and rebuilds the PDF. Text becomes non-selectable in the output. If you need searchable text, consider keeping the original or using a server-based optimizer.
What is the maximum PDF size this tool supports?
The tool is recommended for PDFs up to 50 MB. Very large files may be slow because all processing runs in your browser, limited by your device's memory.
Why is my compressed PDF larger than the original?
This happens when the source PDF already uses efficient vector or text encoding. Re-encoding as JPEG images can sometimes increase size for text-heavy documents. Try a higher compression level or keep the original.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Your files are processed entirely in your browser using PDF.js and the Canvas API. Nothing is sent to any server.
What compression level should I choose?
Use Medium for most use cases — it balances file size and readability. Use Low Compression for documents you need to print. Use High Compression for archiving or when the smallest file size matters more than image clarity.