Compress PDF Files
Reduce PDF file size for easy sharing and uploading
About this tool
The Compress PDF tool trims file size so documents are easier to email, upload, archive and share. Bloated PDFs usually come from scanned pages, image-heavy reports, presentations, catalogs or files exported at print quality. Compression pulls them back down to something manageable.
You get a few compression levels so you can trade off quality against size. A lighter setting holds onto more detail; a stronger one goes after smaller files for tight upload limits. The recommended setting is a solid starting point for most business documents, forms, school files and reports.
It's the fix when an email attachment bounces, a website caps the upload size, a cloud folder is filling up, or a PDF takes forever to send on mobile. Compressing it moves the document along without rebuilding it from scratch.
Choosing a Compression Level
Go low when the document has small text, detailed diagrams, images that need to stay sharp, or anything headed for print. Recommended handles everyday sharing well — it usually cuts the size without making the file look noticeably worse. High is for when you're up against a strict upload limit and can live with a bit of softness.
If the PDF is mostly text, quality tends to stay very high after compression. If it's mostly full-page photos or scans, it can shrink a lot more, but the images are where you'll notice the change. Always give important PDFs a look afterward.
Why PDF Size Matters
Big files slow everything down. They take longer to upload, longer to download, and they choke on weak connections. Plenty of portals also enforce limits on resumes, applications, insurance documents, invoices and assignments. A smaller PDF is easier on you and on whoever's receiving it.
Compression helps with storage over the long haul, too. If your team hangs onto a lot of scanned files, shaving even a modest amount off each one adds up to real space savings while keeping the archive usable.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about this tool.
How much can PDF size be reduced?
Typically we can reduce PDF size by 30% to 70%, depending on content and chosen compression level.
Will the PDF quality decrease?
We offer three compression levels. The recommended level offers great quality with significant size reduction.
Which compression level should I choose?
Choose recommended for most documents, low when print quality matters, and high when you must meet a strict upload limit.
Can I compress scanned PDFs?
Yes. Scanned PDFs often shrink well because they contain large images, but strong compression can make small text softer.
Will links and text still work?
Compression is designed to keep the PDF usable, but you should review important files after processing to confirm links, text and signatures still look correct.
Why is my PDF still large?
Some PDFs already contain optimized images or embedded assets that cannot be reduced much without visible quality loss.
Can I email the compressed PDF?
Yes. Compression is commonly used to bring PDFs under email attachment limits and portal upload limits.
Does compression add a watermark?
No. Convertit does not add watermarks to compressed PDFs.
Should I compress before or after merging?
Usually merge first, then compress the final combined file. That gives you one optimized document to review and send.