How much smaller will it get?

It depends on what is in the file. A scan or a photo-heavy report can come down a long way; a file that is mostly text has little to give.

Can I see the size before I commit?

Yes. The new size is shown before you download, and you can compress again at a different setting.

Is the file uploaded?

No. Compression runs in this browser tab and the file never leaves your machine.

Can I compress a PDF to an exact size, like 100 KB or 1 MB?

Yes. Switch from quality to size, type the number you need, and cherrypdf keeps re-compressing the images until the file fits — or hands back whichever pass got closest, if even the lowest quality still comes in over.

Do I need an account?

Not to compress a PDF. Downloading the result needs a free account, which also decides where a copy you choose to keep is stored.

See all 26 tools

Editor Templates Merge Split Compress

Free online PDF tool

Compress a PDF

To shrink a PDF, cherrypdf works on what makes it heavy: its images. Pictures are resized and re-encoded until the file comes down, and the text stays sharp because text is not touched. You see the new size before you commit, and you can keep the original alongside the smaller copy.

Drop a PDF here

Reduce the file size until it sends.

Kept in this browser

File history

What it does

Compress a PDF, at a glance.

Shrink the images while leaving text crisp
See the new size before you download
Keep the original copy if you want it

This tool runs entirely inside your browser tab. The file never leaves your machine, using it needs no sign-up, downloading needs only a free account, and nothing you download carries a watermark.

Step by step

How to compress a PDF

Open the PDF you need to make smaller.
Pick how hard to compress. The images are resized and re-encoded; the text is left alone.
Check the new size, then download. Keep the original alongside it if you want it.

Questions

Compress a PDF: questions and answers

No. Text is not touched. Most of the weight in a large PDF is its images, so that is what the tool works on.

Similar tools

The reverse direction first, if there is one, then a few more we think you'll want next.

Password protect a PDF

Add a password before you send it.

Remove a PDF's password

Remove a password you already know.

See all 3 Compress & secure toolsEvery tool on this shelf, one click away.

Compress a PDF

File history

Compress a PDF, at a glance.

How to compress a PDF

Compress a PDF: questions and answers

01Will the text go blurry?

02How much smaller will it get?

03Can I see the size before I commit?

04Is the file uploaded?

05Can I compress a PDF to an exact size, like 100 KB or 1 MB?

06Do I need an account?

Tools that go with Compress a PDF

Password protect a PDF

Remove a PDF's password