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How to Resize PDF Online

by Hung Nguyen

You can also read this article in German, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian and Portuguese.

Are you having trouble sending and storing PDFs? With Smallpdf, you can resize PDF documents and access other powerful features.

While PDFs are a staple in most workplaces, they’re not always as small as you’d expect.

If you generate a PDF file from a Microsoft Word document, the resulting file could easily be bigger than the original. PDFs with embedded fonts or high-resolution images can end up even larger than expected.

The good news is that you can reduce your PDF file sizes with Smallpdf. We offer a powerful online PDF compressor, designed to help you resize PDF files without affecting their quality.

Follow these simple steps to resize your PDF for free and make the most of your newly compressed file.

How to Resize a PDF Online for Free

Resize PDF Online 1
  1. Go to our Compress PDF tool.
  2. Drag and drop your PDF into the toolbox or click “Choose Files” to select a file from your device.
  3. Choose the “Basic” compression mode.
  4. The software will automatically shrink your file.
  5. Click the “Download” button at the top right-hand side of the screen, and you’re done!

Here’s how it works: after you upload your file, our tool finds repetitive patterns and replaces them with smaller identifiers. That reduces file size without changing fonts, images, or page layouts.

Smallpdf gives you control over the size and appearance of your resized PDF.

While using our PDF resizer, you’ll have the option of choosing between two different compression modes:

  1. The “Basic” mode converts your PDF to a medium-size, standard-resolution file.
  2. The “Strong” option reduces your PDF’s resolution but delivers an even smaller file size. This feature is exclusive to Smallpdf Pro, which you can try out with our 7-day free trial.

Where Does Your Original File Go?

To resize PDF files with Smallpdf, you’ll need to upload your original file to our servers. One hour later, we’ll automatically and permanently delete our copy of that file (unless you opt to save it to your Smallpdf account).

From upload to deletion, you’re the only one who can access your document.

This is just one of the many steps Smallpdf takes to protect its users. Along with automatically deleting uploaded files, we:

  • Use highly-advanced TLS encryption.
  • Comply with ISO 27001 (an international standard for information security), the General Data Protection Regulation, and the California Consumer Privacy Act.
  • Maintain servers in compliance with the strict data laws of the European Union.

Do More With Your Resized PDF

After compressing your PDF, you may want to share it with others. That’s why Smallpdf aims to provide easy sharing and collaboration features for your digital documents.

Once your PDF has been compressed, you can share it via email or WhatsApp or generate a shareable link, all without having to leave your final page.

That isn’t the only thing you can do with your compressed PDF. After uploading your file to Smallpdf’s servers to change the PDF size, you’ll be able to take advantage of the other features we offer. That includes our AI tools, such as:

Chat with PDF

Have you ever needed clarification while reading through a complex document? Chat with PDF is a smart AI tool that lets you ask your document questions and get instant answers.

You can also use Chat with PDF after resizing a PDF file. To do that, find “Or continue in” on your results page and click “Show more”. Then, select “Chat with PDF” from the expanded list to use this feature with your compressed PDF.

AI PDF Summarizer

Smallpdf’s other AI-based tool is known as AI PDF Summarizer. You can use this feature to generate a concise summary of your PDF documents.

To start using AI PDF Summarizer, choose a document to upload from your computer. When you do, our AI technology will analyze your document and create a point-by-point breakdown of its contents. You’ll also be able to ask questions about your file.

Resize Your PDF for Free

Smaller PDFs are easier to send, store, and manage—for both you and your recipients.

Smallpdf is the most powerful, user-friendly PDF compression tool you can use. While using our website, iOS app, or Android app, you can resize PDFs and access many other features for free (or get unlimited access with Smallpdf Pro).

Hung Nguyen
Hung Nguyen
Senior Growth Marketing Manager @Smallpdf