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.
Files upload to a secure server for compression and are auto-deleted within one hour. Scanned PDFs may not shrink much without OCR.
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.
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.
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. Follow a workflow guide to see what to do before and after.
- Prepare a PDF for emailOrganize pages, shrink file size, add a watermark, and sign before you attach a PDF.
- Merge and secure a PDF packetCombine multiple PDFs, tidy page order, password-protect, and compress for sharing.
- Turn a scan into an editable documentAdd searchable text with OCR, convert to Word, and compress if you need to email the result.
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
- Organize PDF Pages — Remove pages before compressing
- Merge PDF — Combine files before sending
- PDF to Word — Extract editable text after compressing
- Protect PDF — Add a password before sharing
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