How to use this tool
- Drop your PDF on the box or tap it to choose a file.
- Pick Light, Medium or Strong compression, and black and white if colour doesn't matter.
- Tap Compress PDF, check the new size, then download the smaller copy.
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on what is inside. Scanned pages and PDFs made from phone photos usually shrink by 60–90%, because each page is a large image. A PDF exported from Word with only text is already compact, and may not get any smaller. In that case the tool tells you and you can keep the original.
| Setting | Best for | Typical result |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Contracts, reports you will print | 30–60% smaller |
| Medium | Email attachments, most portals | 50–80% smaller |
| Strong | Strict limits (200 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB) | 70–90% smaller |
Hitting an upload limit
Job sites, university portals and government forms often cap uploads at 1 MB, 500 KB or 200 KB. Start with Medium. If the file is still too big, try Strong with black and white. If a multi-page PDF still won't fit, split it with the Split PDF tool and upload only the pages asked for.
Privacy
Many online compressors upload your document to their servers. Here the PDF is opened and rebuilt by your own browser, so CVs, ID scans and bank statements stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a PDF to under 1 MB?
Use Medium compression first. Most scanned documents of up to 10 pages fit under 1 MB. If not, switch to Strong.
Will my text still be selectable?
No. Pages are saved as images to make them smaller, so text can't be selected or searched. Keep your original for editing.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. Compression happens in your browser and the file never leaves your device.
Why didn't my PDF get smaller?
Text-only PDFs are already compact. Image-based compression only helps with scans and photo-heavy files.