• Pricing
  1. Home
  2. Compress PDF

Compress PDF

Compress PDFs online for quick sharing, fast uploads, and optimal storage—quality intact. The compressor is free to use and works directly in your browser.

  • PDF size reduction up to 99%
  • GDPR and ISO/IEC 27001 compliant
  • Fully browser-based PDF compression

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

Shrink PDF Size, Preserve Quality

Compress PDFs online for free, maintaining document quality. Reduce large files for easy sharing and storage 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?

    Absolutely! Our PDF compressor is free for file size reduction, similar to our other tools. You can also compress MS Office files, JPG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF images without quality loss. Note that usage limits may apply, and our "Strong" compression is a Pro feature. To begin, drag and drop your files into the tool above.


  • Can I compress PDFs with my whole team?

    Yes! Our Smallpdf for Teams plan provides unlimited Pro access for your team. Enjoy 30+ PDF tools (edit, merge, convert, including AI) and flexible payment options for any team size.


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

    A Pro subscription isn't needed for basic PDF compression. However, Pro offers unlimited access to all tools, including "Strong" compression, for maximum file size reduction without visible 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.


Document Work Made Easy

Boost productivity in your business with unlimited access to all Smallpdf’s tools for taking the hassle out of document work. Do more, better, faster.

Rate this tool
4.5 / 5 - 505,201 votes