Compress PDF free
Shrink large scanned PDFs so they fit email and upload limits. Choose a level and see how much you saved.
- 100% freeNo sign-up, no watermark
- PrivateFiles never leave your device
- FastRuns instantly in your browser
- Any deviceMac, Windows, iPhone, Android
How to compress pdf online
Three steps, no learning curve.
- 1
Add your PDF.
- 2
Choose Light, Balanced or Strong compression.
- 3
Click Compress PDF and download the smaller file.
Why use this Compress PDF tool
- Three compression levels
- Shows the size before and after
- Best for scans and photos
- No upload — fully private
Best for scans
This free compressor re-renders each page as an optimized image. That works brilliantly for scans and photo PDFs. For text-based PDFs, the text becomes part of the image (not selectable) — for those, the ilovepdfmac app compresses while keeping text.
Pick the right level
Light keeps the most detail. Balanced is right for most email attachments. Strong gives the smallest file for upload limits.
Get ilovepdfmac for Mac
The ilovepdfmac app compresses images inside the PDF while keeping text sharp and selectable — often 80%+ smaller. Plus Word, Excel and PowerPoint to PDF, a full PDF editor and real compression — all offline.
Compress PDF FAQ
Still stuck? Email shubhranshukhatua@gmail.com
Will my text still be selectable?+
No — this free compressor turns pages into images. If you need selectable text, use the ilovepdfmac app, which compresses images while keeping text.
What if the file doesn't get smaller?+
Some PDFs are already optimized. You'll be told if compressing wouldn't help.
How small will it get?+
Scanned PDFs often shrink by 50–90%, depending on the level and the content.
Is this tool really free?+
Yes. No sign-up, no watermark, no daily limits. It's free because it runs on your own device.
Are my files uploaded to a server?+
No. Your files are processed entirely inside your browser and never leave your device. You can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads.
Is it safe for confidential documents?+
Yes. Because nothing is uploaded, contracts, bank statements, IDs and medical records stay on your device. There's no server copy that could be stored, shared or leaked.
Do I need to create an account or install anything?+
No. Open the page and use the tool — no account, no email, no extension and no download.
How large can my files be?+
There's no fixed limit. Because the work happens on your device, the practical limit is your browser's memory — files of a few hundred MB usually work fine on a laptop. Very large files are faster in the Mac app.
Which browsers are supported?+
Any modern browser: Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, Brave and Opera, on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android.
Will my file have a watermark?+
No. Your result is exactly what you made — no watermark, no added pages and no branding.
Is there a desktop app?+
Yes — ilovepdfmac for Mac does all of this and much more (Word, Excel and PowerPoint to PDF, a full PDF editor, real compression) offline, for a one-time $9.99.