Free PDF guide
How to compress a PDF and reduce file size
Large PDFs are hard to email, slow to open, and eat storage. Compressing reduces file size so documents are easier to share - and with Dr.PDF, compression runs entirely on your device.
Try it now - free
Open Compress PDF Online Free on Dr.PDF. Files stay on your device - nothing uploads to our servers.
Open Compress PDFStep by step
- 1Upload your PDF to the Compress PDF tool.
- 2Select low, medium, or high compression.
- 3Process and compare the downloaded file size to the original.
What affects PDF file size?
Scanned documents embedded as high-resolution images are the biggest culprit. Text-only PDFs are usually already small.
Dr.PDF offers compression levels that trade size against visual quality. Start with medium compression and check the result before using maximum compression on important documents.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on content. Image-heavy scans can shrink dramatically; text PDFs may see modest gains.
Is compressed PDF quality good enough to print?
Medium compression is usually fine for office printing. Use low compression for archival or presentation decks.