Resize a PDF online quickly and securely with Smallpdf. Reduce file size, adjust dimensions, and share PDFs from any device in seconds.
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 PDF Online for Free
- Go to our Compress PDF tool.
- Drag and drop your PDF into the toolbox or click “Choose Files” to select a file from your device.
- Choose the “Basic” compression mode.
- The software will automatically shrink your file.
- Click the “Download” button at the top right-hand side of the screen, and you're done!
Using Smallpdf to resize a PDF online
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.
Basic vs. Strong Compression
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:
- The “Basic” mode converts your PDF to a medium-size, standard-resolution file.
- 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.
How Smallpdf Compression Works
Our compression technology analyzes your PDF and identifies repetitive elements like duplicate images, fonts, and formatting patterns. It then replaces these with smaller references, dramatically reducing file size while preserving the visual quality and readability of your document.
Change PDF Page Size vs. File Size — What's the Difference?
When you search for “resize PDF,” you might mean one of two things. File size compression (what we covered above) makes your PDF smaller in megabytes so it's easier to email and store. Page size changes adjust the actual dimensions of your PDF pages. Like converting from A4 to Letter format.
If you need to change page dimensions rather than compress file size, here are your options:
How to Set Page Size in Word or PowerPoint, Then Convert to PDF
- Open your document in Word or PowerPoint.
- Go to Layout > Size and choose your desired page size (A4, Letter, etc.).
- Save or export as PDF with your new dimensions.
Trim Margins With Crop PDF
Need to remove white space or change the visible area of your PDF? Use our Crop PDF tool to trim margins and adjust what's displayed on each page.
Is Smallpdf Safe? Where Your Files Go When You Resize a PDF
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.
File Size and Usage Limits (Free vs. Pro)
With Smallpdf's free plan, you can compress up to 2 PDFs per day. And the file size limit is large enough to cover most documents you'll encounter.
Need to compress more files? Smallpdf Pro gives you unlimited access to all our tools, including the Strong compression mode that creates even smaller files. You can also access our desktop app for offline processing.
Do More With Your Resized PDF
After compressing your PDF, you can share it via email or WhatsApp or generate a shareable link, all without leaving your results page. You'll also have access to other Smallpdf tools like Edit PDF, PDF Converter, and our AI-powered features for document analysis.
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).
Resize PDF FAQs
How Do I Compress a PDF for Email?
Most email providers limit attachments to 25MB. Use our Compress PDF tool to reduce your file size below this limit while maintaining quality.
Can I Compress Multiple PDFs at Once?
As a free user, you can only compress PDFs one at a time through our web tool. Smallpdf Pro users can access batch processing, allowing you to compress multiple PDFs in one go. You can then download each separately or combined in a single ZIP file.
Does Compressing a PDF Reduce Quality?
Our Basic compression mode preserves visual quality while reducing file size. The Strong compression mode (Pro only) may slightly reduce image resolution for maximum size reduction.
What's the Maximum File Size I Can Compress?
Both free and Pro users can compress files larger than 50GB, which covers many PDFs you'll encounter.
How Much Can Smallpdf Reduce My PDF Size?
Compression results vary depending on your original file's content. PDFs with many images typically compress more than text-only documents, but you'll see noticeable size reduction in most cases.
