How to Reduce PDF File Size (Without Losing Readability)

🗜️Free Compress PDF
Shrink scanned and image-heavy PDFs for email and upload.Open tool →

Why PDFs get so big

Scanned documents are the usual culprit: every page is a full-resolution photo. A 10-page scan from a phone can easily be 30-60 MB.

PDFs exported from design tools can also embed huge images and full font files.

Option 1: compress in your browser

Open Compress PDF, choose Balanced or Strong and drop the file in. Scanned pages are re-saved at a sensible resolution, typically cutting the size by 50-90%. Your file never leaves your device.

Trade-off: compressed pages become images, so text can't be selected afterwards – keep the original if you need that.

Option 2: re-export from the source

If you made the PDF in Word or Google Docs, export again with a smaller image setting. In Word: File > Save As > PDF > Options/Minimum size. In Google Docs, compress or resize images before downloading as PDF.

Option 3: split it

If a portal has a per-file limit, use Split PDF to send only the pages they need, or split into parts.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a PDF under 1 MB?

Use Strong compression; most scanned documents under ~15 pages land below 1 MB.

Does compressing a PDF reduce quality?

Images are re-saved at lower resolution; text stays readable at the Balanced setting.

Is my PDF uploaded?

No, compression runs in your browser.