How to compress a PDF
- Choose a PDF file.
- Pick Basic (keeps text and links) or Strong (balanced or smallest).
- Select Compress PDF. The result shows the exact new size before you download it.
Good to know
- Basic compression rewrites the file structure. Savings are usually small and some files will not shrink.
- Strong compression turns each page into a compressed image. This works well for scans and photos, but text is no longer selectable or searchable and links are removed.
- No tool can guarantee a specific size such as 1 MB or 200 KB. Check the reported size against your limit.
- Your file is processed in your browser and is never uploaded. How this works.
Compress PDF FAQ
Can I compress a PDF to under 1 MB?
Often, yes, especially for scanned documents. Try Strong compression and check the reported size. If it is still too large, try the “smallest” setting or split the document.
Will compression reduce quality?
Basic compression keeps content unchanged. Strong compression lowers image resolution and JPEG quality, so zoom in on the result before sending it.
Why did my PDF get bigger?
Files that are already well optimized can grow slightly when rewritten. PDFPilot tells you when this happens so you can keep the original.