How to compress PDF
- Add your PDF by clicking the box above or dragging it in.
- Choose a compression level. Recommended works well for most documents.
- Click "Compress PDF", check the new size and download the result.
How PDF compression works
Most of the size of a large PDF comes from images: scanned pages and photos stored at far higher resolution than a screen or printer needs. Pdfverter re-encodes those images at a sensible resolution and quality.
Text, fonts and vector graphics are not touched, so the document stays sharp and searchable. Scanned and photo-heavy PDFs typically shrink by 50–90%.
Good to know
- If a PDF is already optimized and cannot get smaller, Pdfverter keeps the original instead of making it bigger.
- PDFs that are mostly text are usually small already and shrink only a little.
Pdfverter vs. upload-based PDF sites
| Pdfverter | Typical online PDF tools | |
|---|---|---|
| Files uploaded to a server | Never | Yes, every file |
| Sign-up required | No | Often |
| Watermark on results | No | Sometimes |
| Free file limit | 3 files, 20 MB each | Varies, often 1–2 tasks per hour |
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to compress a PDF?
Yes. You can compress a PDF for free with up to 3 files at a time (up to 20 MB each), with no sign-up and no watermark. Pro removes the file limit, handles files up to 200 MB and processes whole batches into one ZIP.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Pdfverter runs entirely in your browser. Your PDFs are processed on your own device and never leave it, which makes it safe for contracts, bank statements, medical records and other confidential documents.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Pdfverter works in any modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox) on desktop and mobile. There is nothing to install.
Will compressing reduce the quality?
Only images are affected. With the Recommended level the difference is hard to see on screen; use Light for documents you plan to print.
How do I get a PDF under 1 MB for an upload form?
Try Recommended first. If it is still too big, use Strong, or split the PDF into parts.