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Compress PDF

Compress PDF files online for easier sharing, faster uploads, and more efficient storage—all without losing quality. Oh, and it’s free to try.

  • Reduce PDF file size by up to 99%
  • GDPR compliant and ISO/IEC 27001 certified
  • 100% browser-based PDF size reducer

Were you looking for Shrink PDF, Reduce PDF Size, or PDF Compressor instead?

Reduce PDF File Size—Keep PDF Quality

Need to reduce file size without losing quality? Our compress PDF tool shrinks documents online for free. Turn your large PDF documents into file sizes that are easy to share and store—all in just a few clicks.

Fast & Effective Compression

No waiting, no hassle—just drag, drop, and compress in seconds. Our tool automatically optimizes your PDF, so you don’t have to tweak settings manually. Works online on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.

A shrinking PDF showcasing Smallpdf’s Compress PDF tool options

Smaller PDFs, Same High Quality

Choose between Basic and Strong PDF compression levels to get the perfect balance for your needs. You’ll get a smaller file size without any visible loss of quality.

Compress PDF works by removing repetitive patterns to shrink your PDF.

Secure Compression, Trusted Worldwide

Your documents are encrypted with TLS security, GDPR-compliant, and ISO/IEC 27001 certified. Plus, we automatically delete files after one hour, so your data stays private.

Smallpdf share feature, easy to share files after PDF compression.
4-step instructions to compress PDF files

How To Compress a PDF Online for Free

  1. Drag & drop your file into our free PDF Compressor tool.
  2. Choose Basic or Strong (Pro) compression, then click ‘Compress’.
  3. If needed, edit your PDF with our other tools.
  4. Download or share your compressed file when you’re done.

Everything You Need in a PDF Compressor

  • No setup is needed to use Compress PDF

    Start Immediately—No Fuss

    Compress PDFs directly in your browser—no installations, sign-ups, or learning curves. Just upload, compress, and be on your way.

  • Compress PDF online on the cloud across devices

    Compress Files on Any Device

    Use our cloud-based PDF compressor on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux. Need to compress PDFs offline? Try the Smallpdf mobile app for iOS and Android.

  • Other formats you can compress using Smallpdf

    Compress PDFs & Other File Formats

    Shrink PDFs, Word docs, Excel files, PowerPoint slides, JPGs, PNGs, GIFs, TIFFs, and more—all in one tool. You can convert between file types too.

  • GDPR compliance stamp

    GDPR Compliance

    Smallpdf fully complies with GDPR, so you know your information is private and in your control. Your data is your data.

  • ISO 27001 compliance stamp

    ISO/IEC 27001 Certified Security

    Our ISO/IEC 27001 certification means your documents are protected by industry-leading security protocols. We’re audited annually to keep your files safe.

  • Smallpdf uses advanced TLS encryption to process your documents

    File Transfer Encryption

    Every file you upload is protected with advanced TLS encryption. Rest assured your documents stay secure from start to compress to finish.

PDF Compressing FAQs

  • Is Smallpdf’s PDF compressor free to use?

    Yes! Like our other tools, our online PDF compressor tool is free to use for reducing file sizes. You can even reduce the file size of other document types, like MS Office files, JPG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF with no loss of image quality. Keep in mind that some usage limitations may apply, and our strong compression option is a Pro feature. To get started, simply drop your files into the tool at the top of this page.


  • Can I compress PDFs with my whole team?

    Absolutely! Our Smallpdf Pro for Teams plan offers unlimited access to all Pro features for you and your team. This includes over 30+ PDF tools to edit, merge, convert, and more—including AI PDF tools. Plus, you’ll benefit from flexible payment options to accommodate teams of any size.


  • Do I need a paid Smallpdf Pro account to compress files?

    No, a Smallpdf Pro subscription isn’t required to compress your documents. There are benefits to Pro though, like unlimited access to all of our other tools without restrictions. A Pro subscription also lets you to select strong compression, for turning large documents into highly compressed PDF files that are easier to share, with no quality loss.


  • Will compression affect fonts or document quality?

    Nope! Compressing your PDFs with our tool doesn’t alter fonts in any way. Your document fonts will remain consistent and unaffected by the compression process. This means all text styles, sizes, and embedded fonts are fully preserved, maintaining the document’s professional appearance.


  • Is the compress tool safe to use?

    We’re committed to safety and security at Smallpdf. In addition to GDPR compliance, we’re ISO/IEC certified, undergo annual security audits, and employ TLS encryption to keep your information safe. Every time you compress a file, the process is fully encrypted, ensuring your data and documents are secure from start to finish.


  • Can I compress PDFs on the go?

    Yes, our iOS and Android mobile apps allow you to compress large PDF files on the go so you can stay productive while traveling or working remotely.


  • What is the best online PDF compressor?

    The best PDF compressor shrinks file size without losing quality. Smallpdf’s Compress PDF tool does just that—offering fast, high-quality compression with Basic and Strong options to suit your needs. Plus, it comes with TLS encryption, GDPR compliance, and ISO/IEC 27001 certification. Try it for free—no sign-up needed!


  • How does PDF compression work?

    Our tool analyzes your document, removes redundant data, and re-encodes large images to shrink file size—without sacrificing quality. It’s fast, efficient, and keeps your content intact.


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