Compress PDF online – shrink scanned and photo PDFs
Reduce the size of a PDF made from scans or photos so it fits an upload portal or an email. The compression runs in your browser, so your document is never uploaded.
Everything runs on your device. Nothing you add or type is sent to any server.
How to use it
- 01
Drop your PDF into the box above, or click it to choose a file from your phone or computer.
- 02
Pick a compression level. Recommended suits most scans; choose strong compression if the file is still too big.
- 03
Press Compress and wait while each page is processed. You will see the old and new size.
- 04
If the new file is smaller, press Download. If it is not smaller, keep your original file.
How this compressor works, honestly
Each page is drawn as a picture at a lower resolution and saved as a JPEG image, and the pictures are put back together as a new PDF with the same page sizes. Scanned pages and photos are already pictures, so they often shrink a lot with little visible change.
There is a trade-off. After compression, the text on every page is part of an image. You can still read and print it, but you can no longer select, copy or search it, and links, bookmarks and form fields are removed. For a PDF made in a word processor, which is mostly text, the result can even be larger than the original. When that happens the tool tells you and does not offer the file.
Choosing a level
Light compression keeps small print sharp and is the safe choice for documents you may need to print. Recommended is a balance that keeps normal text readable on screen. Strong compression gives the smallest file and suits photos and pages with large text, but fine print can become blurry, so zoom in and check before you send it.
Private by design
Your PDF is processed with your device's own memory and processor. It is not sent to any server, so ID cards, bank statements and medical reports stay with you.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my PDF not get smaller?
PDFs made from text, for example exported from Word, are usually already small. Turning their pages into images often adds size. This tool works best on scanned documents and PDFs full of photos.
Will I still be able to search or copy the text?
No. Every page becomes an image, so the text cannot be selected or searched afterwards. Keep your original file if you need that.
Is there a file size limit?
Files can be up to 200 MB. A long document takes a while because each page is processed one by one on your device.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
Not if it needs a password to open. If you know the password, remove it first with Unlock PDF.