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PDF Compressor

Reduce PDF file size by re-rendering pages as compressed images. Best for scanned documents and image-heavy PDFs.

How this works: Pages are rendered as JPEG images and re-assembled into a new PDF. This significantly reduces file size for scanned or image-heavy PDFs but converts text to non-selectable images. For text-only PDFs the savings may be minimal.
Compress PDF

Click or drag & drop a PDF file

Processed entirely in your browser - never uploaded to any server

Free Online PDF Compressor

PDF compression reduces the file size of a PDF document by re-rendering its pages at a lower resolution, applying image optimisation, or removing redundant metadata. This browser-based tool processes your file entirely on your device - your PDF is never uploaded to a server - making it safe for sensitive documents such as Aadhaar cards, PAN card scans, income certificates, or legal agreements. You choose the quality level and see the before-and-after file size comparison before downloading.

Why PDF Compression Matters in India

Government portals across India impose strict file size limits for document uploads. DigiLocker, the UIDAI's digital document wallet, recommends keeping uploaded PDFs under 1 MB. Job application portals for UPSC, SSC CGL, IBPS bank exams, and state PSC exams typically cap uploads at 200 KB to 500 KB. Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and similar portals regularly reject applications because scanned documents exceed the size limit. Compressing your PDF before upload avoids last-minute rejections and speeds up the submission process on low-bandwidth internet connections - particularly relevant in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where 4G speeds can be inconsistent.

Privacy Note

Because compression happens locally in your browser using PDF.js and Canvas API, no document data leaves your machine. This is especially important when the PDF contains personal identification information, financial records, or medical reports.

PDF Compressor Questions

This tool compresses PDFs by re-rendering each page as an image at a lower resolution and repackaging them into a new PDF using PDF.js (for reading) and jsPDF (for writing). The compression level controls the image quality used for each page. This method is highly effective for PDFs that primarily contain scanned documents or images. PDFs that consist mainly of text (created from Word, Excel, InDesign) may not compress as significantly since the main size contributors are fonts and metadata.

If your PDF is already a compressed scan or contains mostly text with embedded fonts, re-rendering at lower resolution may not significantly reduce the size. For text-layer PDFs, use the Optimise option in Adobe Acrobat or Ghostscript's PDF compression pipeline (gs -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -dPDFSETTINGS=/ebook) for better results. This browser-based tool is most effective for scanned documents and image-heavy PDFs.

No - all compression happens in your browser using PDF.js and jsPDF JavaScript libraries. Your PDF is never sent to any server, stored or shared with any third party. This makes the tool suitable for compressing sensitive PDFs such as Aadhaar card copies, PAN cards, salary slips, bank statements, property documents and medical reports. You can verify this by disconnecting your internet after the page loads - compression still works offline.

Choose based on your purpose: Low compression - for documents where visual quality is critical (architectural drawings, medical images, legal documents with signatures); moderate size reduction. Medium compression - best for office documents, resumes and reports; good balance of quality and size. High compression - for documents where small file size is critical (email attachments under 1 MB, WhatsApp document sharing); quality is visibly reduced but text remains readable.

Password-protected PDFs cannot be compressed without the password - this tool will show an error if it cannot read the file. Digitally signed PDFs (with DSC signatures used in Indian MCA filings and e-tendering portals) should not be compressed as this may invalidate the digital signature. For unsigned password-protected PDFs, remove the password first using your PDF viewer, then compress. For signed PDFs, check whether the recipient accepts compressed versions.
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