How to compress a PDF in a few steps
Compressing a large PDF for email or storage usually takes under a minute. Here is the full workflow.
Step 1: Open the compressor
Go to Compress PDF. The tool loads instantly and runs entirely in your browser, so there is nothing to install and no account to create.
Step 2: Add your PDF
Drag and drop the file, or click to browse. PDFs up to 100 MB are supported. Because all processing happens locally, your file never leaves your device.
Step 3: Pick how small you want it
You have two ways to control the result:
- Compression level — choose a lighter or stronger level depending on how aggressive you want the size reduction.
- Target size — set an exact goal such as 100 KB or 1 MB and the tool works toward that file size.
A stronger level or smaller target shrinks the file more but can lower visual quality — so the sweet spot depends on whether the PDF is text-heavy (compresses well) or image-heavy.
Step 4: Preview, then download
Always preview before downloading. If the output looks soft or pixelated, re-run with a less aggressive level. Download the file when you are happy, and repeat as often as you like.
Tips for the smallest files
- Text-based PDFs compress far better than image-heavy scans
- For scans, try reducing resolution or converting to a lighter format first
- Keep the original stored safely before compressing, in case you need the full-quality version later
What you need to get started
A modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). The tool accepts PDF, supports up to 100 MB, and does all the work on your own device.
Verdict
You can skip installs, accounts, and uploads: open Compress PDF and hit your target size in seconds.