Compress PDF
- Secure processing
- Automatically deleted
- No signup
- Files are uploaded privately, processed on a secure server, and not retained for later use.
- Uploaded and generated files are automatically deleted within one hour.
Server-powered
Upload a PDF and choose Basic, Balanced, or Strong compression. Your file is uploaded privately to temporary storage, compressed with Ghostscript on a secure Cloudflare Container, and automatically deleted within one hour. No account required.
What to do next
How to use this tool
1. Upload a PDF within the size limit. 2. Choose a compression level. 3. Click Compress. 4. Download the smaller file and compare file size in the results. 5. Organize or remove pages first if the PDF contains content you do not need to send.
Worked example
Example: an image-heavy scanned PDF may shrink substantially with Balanced compression, while an already optimized PDF may show little or no reduction.
Common examples
- 12 MB scanned contract → Balanced compression often targets email-friendly sizes; text-only PDFs may barely shrink.
- Image-heavy brochure at 25 MB → Strong compression for upload portals; review text readability after download.
- Born-digital 2-page invoice at 400 KB → compression may show little gain; organize or split instead if still too large.
Common searches
- compress pdf
- reduce pdf file size
- pdf compressor for email
- shrink pdf online
- compress pdf without losing quality
How it works
Upload a PDF and choose Basic, Balanced, or Strong compression. The browser uploads your file directly to private temporary storage using a short-lived link. A secure Ghostscript container compresses the PDF, then you receive a temporary download link. Original and compressed files are automatically deleted within one hour.
Limitations
Files upload to a secure server for compression and are auto-deleted within one hour. Scanned PDFs may not shrink much without OCR.
Privacy and file handling
Your file is uploaded securely for temporary processing. See the tool details below for retention behavior. Uploaded and generated files are automatically deleted within one hour.
Important notice
Compression runs on a secure server with Ghostscript. Your file is uploaded privately and automatically deleted within one hour. Already-optimized PDFs may not shrink much. Maximum 50 MB and 200 pages.
Frequently asked questions
Are my PDFs uploaded to a server?
Yes. Files upload privately to temporary storage, are compressed with Ghostscript, and are automatically deleted within one hour.
What do the compression levels do?
Basic prioritizes quality (Ghostscript /printer). Balanced is the recommended default (/ebook). Strong prioritizes smallest size (/screen).
Will every PDF get smaller?
No. Already-optimized PDFs may not shrink. If no savings are found, the original file is offered for download.
What are the limits?
Maximum file size is 50 MB and maximum page count is 200. Password-protected PDFs are not supported.
Part of these workflows
This tool is one step in a longer job. Jump straight to your step or open the full workflow guide.
Related tools
Related pages
- Compress PDF — compare pdf tools and read FAQs
- Prepare a PDF for email — step-by-step workflow
- Merge and secure a PDF packet — step-by-step workflow
- Turn a scan into an editable document — step-by-step workflow
- Apply for a job — step-by-step workflow
- Prepare a job application photo and resume — step-by-step workflow
- Organize PDF Pages — Remove pages before compressing
- Merge PDF — Combine files before sending
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