Compress PDF
Reduce file size while keeping quality where possible.
What is Compress PDF?
Compressing a PDF reduces its file size so it is easier to email, upload, or share. PDFForge compresses PDFs online for free in your browser and shows exactly how much space you saved before you download.
Compress PDF key features
- Reduce large PDFs to a smaller size
- See the exact percentage saved before downloading
- Choose compression level to balance size and quality
- No uploads — compression happens on your device
Every compress pdf operation runs 100% in your browser — your file never leaves your device.
How to use Compress PDF
- 1
Upload your PDF
Drag and drop a PDF file into the dropzone or browse from your computer.
- 2
Choose a compression level
Pick a preset such as low, medium, or high compression depending on how much file size you need to save.
- 3
Download the compressed PDF
Review the new file size, then download your optimized PDF directly to your device.
Compress PDF FAQ
How much can I compress a PDF?
Compression depends on the content. Mixed text and image PDFs typically shrink by 40–80%. PDFForge shows the exact new size and savings before you download.
Does compressing a PDF hurt quality?
PDFForge lets you choose the compression level. Higher compression produces a smaller file with some visual tradeoffs in images; lower compression keeps more fidelity.