Pick Optimize to rebuild the file and strip metadata while keeping text and links, or Strong (rasterize) to flatten image-heavy scans for the smallest size. Large, scanned PDFs shrink the most.
How to compress a PDF
- Add your PDF by dropping it on the panel or picking it from your device.
- Choose Optimize to rebuild the file and strip metadata while keeping text and links, or Strong (rasterize) for image-heavy scans.
- Adjust image quality and resolution if you picked Strong, then click the button and download the smaller file.
When to compress a PDF
Email is the most common reason to shrink a PDF. Many mail servers reject attachments over 10 MB, and large files are slow to send on mobile data. Compressing first gets a document under the limit without losing readability.
The tool also helps when you need to compress a PDF below 1 MB for web forms, job portals, or app uploads that enforce strict size caps. Scanned contracts and photo-heavy reports shrink the most, often by 70 percent or more.
Use Optimize when the PDF needs selectable text, links, and sharp vector graphics. Use Strong (rasterize) when the document is scans or photos and the smallest possible file matters more than text selection.
Why compress PDFs in your browser
PDF Shrink compresses the file on your own device. Nothing is uploaded, so there is no queue, no account, and no limit on how many files you can process in a row.
It is free to use on any device with a browser, and you can repeat the compression as often as you like. The same privacy-first engine powers the PDF Shrink iPhone app, which works fully offline.
FAQ
Does this upload my PDF?
No. Compression runs entirely in your browser with vendored libraries; the file is never sent to a server.
Which method should I choose?
Use Optimize to keep selectable text and links. Use Strong (rasterize) for scanned or image-heavy PDFs when you need the smallest file and don't need to select text.
How much can I shrink a PDF?
It depends on the file. Text-based PDFs compress well with Optimize, while scanned or image-heavy PDFs shrink dramatically with Strong (rasterize), often to a fraction of the original size.
Is there a file size limit?
No upload limit applies because the file never leaves your browser. Very large files are limited only by your device's memory.
Is it really free?
Yes. The browser tool is free with no sign-up. If you need the same compression offline on iPhone, PDF Shrink offers a one-time unlock.