Compress PDF

Most people compress a PDF because something refused it: a portal with a 10 MB cap, an email attachment limit, a form that will not accept the scan you just made. This tool reduces file size by re-encoding the images inside the document and discarding data that carries no visual information, then shows you exactly what you gained before you commit to the result.

Getting under an upload limit

Portals and government forms commonly cap attachments at 5 or 10 MB, and a phone-scanned document clears that easily. Start at the light level and step up only until the file fits — over-compressing to hit a number you have already met costs quality for nothing.

Emailing a scanned contract

Scans are where compression pays best, because the pages are photographs of paper rather than text. A twenty-page scan often drops from 40 MB to under 5 MB with no visible change on screen, which is the difference between an attachment that sends and one that bounces.

Archiving documents you rarely open

For records you keep but seldom read — old statements, past invoices — a stronger level is a reasonable trade. Keep the original of anything you might need at full fidelity later, because the discarded detail cannot be restored.

Preparing a portfolio or print file

Use the lightest level here, or skip compression entirely. Print work depends on image detail that strong compression removes, and a printer will show softening that a screen hides.