How do I compress a PDF file?
Upload your PDF, select a compression level (low, medium, or high), and click 'Compress PDF'. The tool will automatically process it and show you the file size reduction. Download your compressed PDF when ready.
What's the difference between low, medium, and high compression?
Low compression keeps maximum quality with modest file size reduction (20-40%). Medium compression balances quality and size, recommended for most documents (40-70% reduction). High compression achieves smallest files (60-90% reduction) but may have slight quality trade-offs for images.
Will compression reduce my PDF quality?
Our compression is designed to minimize quality loss. Low and medium levels preserve quality very well - you typically won't notice any difference. High compression may reduce image clarity slightly, but text stays sharp. Always preview the result before sharing important documents.
How much can I reduce my PDF file size?
Results vary based on content. PDFs with many images compress most (often 70-90%). Text-heavy PDFs compress less (20-50%) since text is already efficient. Try medium compression first - it usually achieves 50-70% reduction with excellent quality.
What happens to my files during compression?
Small files (10MB or smaller) are processed on our server but never stored - they're compressed and immediately returned to you. Large files (over 10MB) are temporarily stored during processing and automatically deleted after 2 hours for your privacy.
Why do some files get stored temporarily?
Files larger than 10MB require asynchronous processing on our server for optimal compression. These files are temporarily stored during processing but automatically deleted 2 hours after upload to protect your privacy.
Is there a file size limit for compression?
Yes, we support PDFs up to 200MB. This limit ensures reliable processing and reasonable compression times. Most PDFs are well under this limit.
Can I compress password-protected PDFs?
Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first. Use our PDF Decrypt tool to remove the password, then compress the unlocked file.
Does compression remove anything from my PDF?
Compression optimizes images and file structure to reduce size. It doesn't remove pages, text, or visible content. All information stays intact - just stored more efficiently.
Will compressed PDFs work everywhere?
Yes. Compressed PDFs are standard PDF files that work in all PDF readers (Adobe, Preview, Chrome, etc.). Recipients can't tell the file was compressed - it just opens faster.
Can I compress multiple PDFs at once?
Currently, compress one PDF at a time for best results. If you need to compress many files, process them one after another. Batch compression may be added in the future.
How long are large files stored on your server?
Large files (>10MB) automatically delete from our server 2 hours after upload. This gives you time to download the result while ensuring your file doesn't stay on our systems permanently.