Compress PDF Online Free
Reduce your PDF file size without losing quality. Shrink oversized images, strip metadata, and download a lighter file in seconds — completely free.
Drop a PDF here or tap to browse
Max 50 MB · processed in your browser, never uploaded
How to compress a PDF online
Upload Your PDF
Drag and drop your PDF or click to browse. Files up to 50MB — processed right in your browser.
Pick a Level & Compress
Choose Light (lossless), Recommended, or Extreme. Images are re-compressed and metadata is stripped.
Download Instantly
Your compressed PDF downloads automatically. No watermarks, no sign-up, no waiting.
Why use TryMyPdf to compress PDFs?
Text Stays Sharp
Only images are re-compressed. Text, fonts, vectors, and links stay crisp and selectable.
100% Free
Compress as many files as you need. No account, no subscription, no limits.
100% Private
Compression runs entirely in your browser — your PDF is never uploaded to any server.
Works Everywhere
Browser-based — works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile without any software.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my PDF shrink?+
It depends on the content. Scanned and image-heavy PDFs typically shrink by 40–80% on the Recommended level. Text-only PDFs are already lean and may change only slightly.
Will compression make my PDF look different?+
Text, fonts, and layout are never changed. On Recommended, images are re-encoded at around 150 DPI, which looks the same on screen and in normal printing. Use Light for a fully lossless result, or Extreme for the smallest possible file.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?+
No. Remove the password first using our Unlock PDF tool, then compress the file.
Is there a file size limit?+
Files up to 50MB are supported. If your file is larger, split it into parts first using our Split PDF tool.
Are my documents stored after compression?+
Your PDF never leaves your device — compression happens entirely in your browser, so nothing is uploaded or stored.
File still too large after compressing? Split the PDF first to remove unneeded pages, then compress again. Or delete specific pagesyou don't need.
What is Compress PDF?
PDF compression reduces the file size of a PDF document by removing redundant internal data — without touching visible content. Metadata, hidden thumbnails, duplicate objects, and inefficient stream encoding can all add significant overhead to a PDF without contributing anything to its appearance or readability.
When should you use it?
Compress a PDF when it exceeds an email attachment limit (most providers cap at 10–25 MB), when an upload form rejects it due to size restrictions, when you want to save storage space in cloud services, or when transferring files over slow connections. Even a 30–50% reduction in size makes a practical difference.
How Compress PDF works under the hood
TryMyPdf's compressor analyses the PDF's internal cross-reference table and object stream structure. Embedded images — where almost all of a PDF's weight lives — are decoded, downscaled to a sensible resolution, and re-encoded as optimised JPEG; an image is only replaced when the result is genuinely smaller. Hidden metadata is stripped and objects are packed into compressed object streams. Text, fonts, and vector graphics are never re-rendered, so they stay sharp and selectable. Everything runs locally in your browser.
Common use cases for Compress PDF
Email Attachments
Reduce a PDF below common email size limits (10 MB for Gmail, 25 MB for Outlook) so it sends without rejection or splitting.
Web Form Uploads
Many government portals, HR systems, and application platforms cap PDF uploads at 2–5 MB. Compression makes them submission-ready in seconds.
Cloud Storage Archiving
Compress old reports and documents before archiving to free up space in Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive without losing any content.
WhatsApp & Messaging Apps
Messaging platforms cap file sizes strictly. Compress PDFs to share over WhatsApp, Telegram, or Slack without switching to file-sharing links.
Online Print Service Uploads
Online printers often limit upload sizes. Compress high-resolution PDF brochures or flyers before uploading to printing platforms.
Website Download Files
Compress PDF guides, reports, and white papers before publishing them as website downloads to improve load times and user experience.
LMS & eLearning Platforms
Learning management systems often limit resource uploads. Compress course PDFs, slides, and reading materials before uploading.
Audit & Compliance Filing
Many regulatory portals have strict document size caps. Compress financial reports and compliance certificates before submission.
Tips for best results
Split first for very large files
If your file exceeds 20 MB (our upload limit), use Split PDF to divide it into smaller sections first, compress each part, then merge them back using Merge PDF.
Remove unnecessary pages beforehand
Use Delete Pages to remove blank pages, cover sheets, or irrelevant appendices before compressing. Fewer pages means a smaller compressed output.
Compress once, not repeatedly
Running a PDF through the compressor multiple times provides diminishing returns. The first pass removes most redundant data — repeated passes add little further reduction.
Text-heavy PDFs compress less
PDFs consisting mostly of text are already lean by nature. The biggest gains come from PDFs with lots of embedded metadata, thumbnails, or unoptimised streams from design software exports.
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