PDF TOOLS · FREE ONLINE
Compress PDF
Create a smaller, image-based PDF by rendering each page as a compressed JPG. This can reduce file size for image-heavy documents, but it converts text into page images—text will no longer be selectable or searchable. Always keep your original.
Your file is processed in this browser. The result may be larger than the original for some PDFs.
How PDF compression works here
- Select your PDF.
- Choose image quality: lower quality usually means a smaller file.
- Download the new PDF and compare its size and readability with your original.
Important limitations
This tool rasterizes every page, so selectable text, links, forms and accessibility features are not preserved. For legal, archival or searchable documents, use a lossless PDF optimizer instead.
About Compress PDF: Complete Guide
PDF compression aims to reduce file size, but methods differ. This page creates an image-based PDF by rendering pages as JPGs. It may help some image-heavy files, but it rasterizes pages and can remove selectable text, links, forms, digital signatures and accessibility structure.
How to Use Compress PDF
Step-by-step instructions
1. Save a copy of the original PDF. 2. Choose a quality setting. 3. Create the output. 4. Compare file size and readability before keeping it.
Common Uses and Benefits
Use an image-based output only when a visual copy is acceptable and a smaller file is worth the trade-off. For searchable or official documents, prefer an optimizer that preserves text and document features.
Quality, Accuracy and Limitations
Lower quality can blur small text. Some PDFs may become larger after rasterization. Do not use this method when you need to preserve digital signatures, fillable forms, searchable text or vector graphics.
Practical Tips for Better Results
- Keep an original copy of important text or files before editing or converting.
- Review the result before sharing or relying on it.
- Choose output quality and format based on the destination and purpose.
- For sensitive material, check data handling and use a trusted device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will every PDF become smaller? No. Is text selectable afterward? No, this method converts pages to images. What quality should I use? Choose the highest quality that meets the file-size requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Will the file always be smaller?
No. The output depends on page content and image quality; compare sizes before keeping the result.
Is my PDF uploaded?
The PDF is processed in your browser using PDF.js and jsPDF.