📉 Real size reduction
Pages are re-rendered as optimized images, so scanned PDFs often shrink by 70–90%.
Compress PDF Online — Free
Reduce your PDF file size in seconds. Free, no sign-up — your files stay in your browser.
- ✓ 100% Free
- ✓ No sign-up
- ✓ Files stay in your browser
Drag & drop your PDF here
or
Choose File🔒 Your files are processed locally in your browser and never uploaded to any server.
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ℹ️ How it works: pages are re-rendered as optimized images, which gives real size reduction and works best for scanned or image-based PDFs. Text won't be selectable afterwards.
How to compress a PDF in 3 steps
- 1. Upload your PDF
Drag and drop your PDF into the upload zone, or click “Choose File”.
- 2. Pick a quality level
Choose High, Medium or Low depending on how small the file needs to be.
- 3. Compress & download
Click “Compress PDF”. You'll see the before/after sizes and can download instantly.
Why use PDFLite's free PDF compressor?
🎚️ You control quality
Three honest presets — High, Medium, Low — with the exact before/after file sizes shown.
🔒 Private by design
Compression happens entirely in your browser. Your documents are never uploaded anywhere.
📱 Works everywhere
Use it on Windows, Mac, Android or iPhone — right in your browser. Nothing to install.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a PDF for free?
Upload your PDF to the compressor above, choose a quality level, and click “Compress PDF”. The smaller file downloads instantly — no account needed.
Will compressing reduce the quality of my PDF?
Slightly, depending on the level you choose. High keeps near-original quality with modest savings; Low gives the smallest file. You always see the before/after sizes.
Will the text stay selectable after compression?
No. Pages are re-rendered as optimized images to achieve real compression, so text becomes non-selectable. This method works best for scanned or image-based PDFs.
Is there a maximum PDF file size?
Compression runs in your browser, so the practical limit is your device's memory. Most PDFs up to a few hundred megabytes work fine on desktop.
Is it safe to compress private PDFs here?
Yes. Your file is processed locally in your browser and never uploaded to any server.