01
Choose one PDF
Select a PDF containing up to 1,000 pages from your device.
Compress PDF
Reduce PDF file size by recompressing compatible images locally in your browser.
Choose one PDF
Select the document you want to make smaller.
Up to 50 MB and 1,000 pages
Data handling
- Processing
- The selected input is processed in your browser. Got A Tool does not send it to our servers.
- Retention
- Inputs and results are not saved to persistent storage. Resetting or closing this page clears the tool's working state.
- Export
- The tool may prepare a result after you run it. It downloads or copies it only when you choose that action.
Advertising and analytics are separate site services. We do not send selected file contents to them. Read the Privacy Policy for details.
How it works
Make a PDF smaller in three steps
02
Choose a level
Pick Light, Balanced, or Strong based on the size and image quality you need.
03
Compare and download
See the original and result sizes before downloading the smaller PDF.
Honest compression
A smaller file—or your original stays untouched.
Compatible images are recompressed inside the existing document. If the result is not smaller, the tool keeps the original bytes and tells you clearly.
Three useful levels
Choose image quality first, a balanced default, or the strongest size reduction.
No fake savings
Original and output sizes are compared before a compressed result is offered.
Document structure retained
Bookmarks, forms, links, annotations, page dimensions, and layout stay in place.
Unsafe images skipped
CMYK, transparency, and unsupported image formats are left unchanged rather than risk corruption.
FAQ
Common questions
Which compression level should I use?
Balanced is the recommended starting point. Light prioritizes image quality, while Strong uses lower image resolution and quality to pursue a smaller file.
Will every PDF become smaller?
No. Text-only, already optimized, CMYK-heavy, or transparency-heavy PDFs may not shrink. If no smaller version can be produced, the tool leaves your original unchanged and explains why.
Are bookmarks, forms, and links preserved?
Yes. Compression replaces eligible image streams inside the existing document rather than copying pages into a new PDF. Tests confirm that bookmarks, form values, links, annotations, page boxes, rotation, and layout remain in place.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Compression runs in a dedicated worker inside your browser, so your PDF is not sent to our server for processing.
Decision guide
Compress a PDF without guessing about quality
PDF compression is most useful when a document contains large scanned pages or photos. This tool recompresses compatible raster images inside the existing PDF; it does not turn text into an image or rearrange your pages. Keep the original file until you have checked the result.
Start here
Choose the level from the document’s job
Light
Use for a PDF with small text inside scans, product details, illustrations, or photos you need to keep looking close to the original.
Balanced
Use this first for a typical scanned form, report, or photo-heavy handout. It is the tool’s recommended default.
Strong
Use when a strict upload limit matters more than image detail. Review a detailed page at normal reading size before you share it.
Before sharing
Four quick checks for the downloaded PDF
Open the result
Make sure the downloaded PDF opens in your usual reader before you send or replace anything.
Compare page count
The page count should match the original. This tool changes eligible image streams, not page order.
Inspect a representative page
Zoom into a page with the smallest text or most detailed image. That is where a strong setting is easiest to judge.
Try the important interaction
If the document relies on a form field, link, bookmark, or annotation, open one before sharing.
What changes
Image data is reduced; document layout stays in place
The tool keeps
Page dimensions, page order, layout, bookmarks, links, annotations, form values, and rotation remain in the existing document structure.
The tool may leave alone
Unsupported image formats, CMYK images, transparent images, and images that would not become smaller are skipped rather than risk corrupting the PDF.
Choose the next step
Use a different PDF tool when file size is not the problem
Remove pages
If a document is large because it contains pages you do not need, use Delete PDF Pages first.
Split a document
When an upload limit applies per attachment, create smaller files with Split PDF.
Combine documents
Need one document after preparing each file? Use Merge PDF, then review the result before sharing.
Questions
PDF compression details
Are my files uploaded?
No. Compression runs in a dedicated worker in your browser. The selected PDF is not sent to Got A Tool for processing.
What are the file limits?
Choose one readable PDF up to 50 MB and 1,000 pages. Password-protected PDFs can be processed when you provide the correct password.
Should I overwrite my original file?
No. Keep the original until you have opened the result and checked the pages and features that matter for your document.
Practical guide
Read the PDF sharing checklist
Choose the document task, check what should not travel with the file, and inspect the downloaded copy before you share it.
Open the guide →Keep working
Related tools
Images to PDF
Combine JPG, PNG, and WebP images into one ordered PDF without uploading them.
Open tool →Merge PDF
Combine multiple PDF files in your chosen order without uploading them to a server.
Open tool →Split PDF
Separate selected pages into new PDF files without uploading your document to a server.
Open tool →Reorder PDF Pages
Rearrange every page into a new order without uploading your PDF to a server.
Open tool →Delete PDF Pages
Remove unwanted pages and create a new PDF without uploading your document to a server.
Open tool →Rotate PDF
Rotate all or selected PDF pages left, right, or 180 degrees without uploading your document.
Open tool →