Compress PDF

Reduce PDF size by rebuilding selected pages as compressed images. Choose resolution and JPEG quality, then compare file sizes.

Unlimited Free Usage

Lossy image-only compression: selectable text, forms, annotations, links, attachments and signatures are removed. Output can be larger than the input.

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File contents and entered text stay on this device.

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How to use

Compress PDF

Learn how to use Compress PDF: step-by-step instructions, settings, export options, privacy, limits and troubleshooting.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Choose an unlocked PDF and select pages, resolution and JPEG quality.
  2. Read and confirm the rasterization notice.
  3. Create the compressed PDF, compare input and output sizes, and inspect readability before downloading.
Options and output

This is lossy raster compression, not a lossless PDF optimizer. Selectable text, forms, annotations, links, attachments, source metadata and digital signatures are not preserved. Pages become JPEG images. Some optimized PDFs become larger; the size comparison reports this honestly. Smaller resolution and quality usually produce smaller files.

Compatibility and privacy

Use an unlocked PDF up to 20 MB and 100 source pages. Files and output stay in this browser. Work is not saved after leaving the page. Modifying a digitally signed PDF invalidates its signatures; retain the original. Forms, annotations, bookmarks and document-level interactive features may not survive page rewriting. These tools are not intended to preserve certified or archival conformance.

Review before sharing

Keep the original PDF and check the exported page count, appearance and content before sharing. Browser memory and rendering limitations can prevent a particular PDF from processing; unsupported documents are rejected rather than uploaded elsewhere.

Processing and privacy

Files and entered content are processed on your device in this browser tab. File contents and results are not uploaded to Helphonic or sent to analytics. The page still contacts Helphonic to load its tools, check access and confirm non-content usage information. Work is not saved to your account; download or copy results before leaving or reloading the page.

If an operation cannot finish

Use a current browser and smaller inputs if the tab runs out of memory. Some tools download a local processing library or model on first use, so an internet connection is needed even though your content stays on the device.

If the tool reports that access or limits changed, review the current policy and run it again. If usage confirmation is uncertain after an interrupted connection, a retry can count as another operation. Download completed work before reloading; this site does not keep a recovery copy.

About this tool

This is lossy raster compression, not a lossless PDF optimizer. Selectable text, forms, annotations, links, attachments, source metadata and digital signatures are not preserved. Pages become JPEG images. Some optimized PDFs become larger; the size comparison reports this honestly. Smaller resolution and quality usually produce smaller files.

Read the full Compress PDF guide (opens in a new tab)