Compress PDF
Make a PDF smaller for email and upload forms. Pick how much to shrink it and see the new size. Free, and your file never leaves this device.
or
One PDF file.
Processed on this device. Nothing is uploaded. How it works
Very large files depend on your device's memory.
Working
0%
Starting
Working on this device. Keep this tab open.
How to compress a PDF
- 1
Choose your PDF
Tap Choose PDF file, or drop it onto the box.
- 2
Pick a level
Recommended suits most files. Strong makes the smallest file.
- 3
Compress and download
See how much smaller it is, then tap Download PDF.
What makes a PDF smaller
| Photos and scans | Usually most of the size. Recommended keeps their longest side at 2200 pixels, and Strong at 1400, saved as JPEG. |
|---|---|
| Text and drawings | Kept as they are, so text stays sharp and searchable at every level. |
| File structure | Packed and recompressed at every level, which never changes how pages look. |
| Already small files | If a file can't be made smaller, you get the original back instead of a bigger copy. |
Limits and supported files
| Accepted files | One PDF (.pdf) at a time. Files that need a password to open must have it removed first. |
|---|---|
| File size | Depends on your device's memory. Large scanned files take longer on phones. |
| Where your file goes | Nowhere. It is compressed in this browser tab. |
Privacy: how this tool handles your file
When you use Compress PDF, your browser reads your file on your device and the tool's code does the work in this tab. PageYak's server only sends the page and its code. It never receives your file, so there is nothing to delete afterwards.
How PageYak works explains this in more detail.
When to compress a PDF
Most of a PDF size usually comes from images, especially scans and photos, so those are made smaller while text stays sharp.
- Online forms and job portals that only accept files under 1 MB, 2 MB or 5 MB.
- Email attachments that are too large to send.
- Scanned documents from a phone that are much bigger than they need to be.
- Saving space on your phone or cloud storage.
Questions
How do I get a PDF under 1 MB for an upload form?
Try Recommended first. If the file is still too big, go back and pick Strong. Scanned pages shrink the most. If it is still too big, split the PDF and upload the parts, or scan again at a lower resolution.
Why did my file hardly shrink?
Files made mostly of text are already small, and files saved by good PDF software are already compressed. There is little left to remove without harming quality.
Will the text still be selectable?
Yes. Only pictures are changed. Text, links and page layout stay the same.
How much smaller will my PDF get?
Scanned and photo-heavy PDFs often shrink a lot. Files that are mostly text are already small, so they change less.
Is compression safe for official documents?
Text and layout are kept. Check that stamps, signatures and small print are still readable before you submit the smaller file.
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Last updated 12 November 2026.