PDF Compressor

You have a PDF that is too large to email. The limit is 10MB but your file is 25MB. Or a government portal only accepts files under 5MB. Whatever the reason, compressing a PDF without destroying its quality is something everyone needs occasionally.

Our PDF Compressor reduces file size while keeping text sharp and images readable — all processed locally in your browser without uploading your private documents to any server.

Why PDFs Get So Large

Most large PDFs are big because of images. Scanned documents, brochures with photos, presentations with graphics — these contain high-resolution image data that takes significant space. Images in PDFs are often embedded at print resolution (300 DPI), far more detail than screens display.

Compression primarily reduces image resolution and applies more aggressive image compression. Text in PDFs is stored as vector data — it compresses extremely efficiently and is not affected by image compression. Compressed PDFs maintain perfectly sharp text even at high compression levels.

Understanding Compression Levels

Low compression reduces file size modestly — 20-40% — while maintaining near-original quality. Good for legal papers or documents where visual quality is critical. Medium compression offers 40-60% reduction with acceptable quality for most purposes. Suitable for business documents and everyday PDFs. High compression produces the smallest files — often 60-80% smaller — with reduced image quality. Acceptable for quick sharing where file size matters more than image perfection.

Your Documents Stay Private

Our PDF compressor processes everything locally in your browser using PDF-lib — a JavaScript library running entirely on your device. Your PDF is never uploaded to any server. Nobody can see your documents. This matters because PDFs often contain sensitive information — contracts, financial statements, medical records. Local processing keeps your private information private.