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Flatten PDF
Quickly and easily merge all layers and elements of your PDF into a single layer for free. Enhance document integrity and simplify sharing across any system by flattening your PDF in seconds.
- Flatten PDFs on Mac, Windows, or any other device
- Free to use without download or installation
- Trusted by 1.7 billion people since 2013
Best Online Tool to Flatten PDFs
Quickly combine all the elements of your PDF into a single layer with our Flatten PDF tool. Convert complex interactive documents into simple, secure PDFs that are perfect for printing and sharing.
Prevent Data Tampering
Flattening a PDF file ensures document integrity and prevents information tampering by permanently embedding all content into the document, including text, image layers, annotations, and form fields.
Perfect Printing Every Time
Flattened PDFs ensure that even the most intricate layouts, including multiple overlays like forms and graphics, print exactly as they appear on your screen.
Accessible Documents on Any System
PDFs are universally shareable and viewable. But some systems struggle with complex multi-layered documents. When you flatten a PDF, these compatibility issues disappear.
How To Flatten PDFs for Free
- Import or drag & drop your file to our Flatten PDF tool.
- Edit the PDF with our other tools if needed.
- Download or share your flattened PDF file when ready—done!
Flatten Any PDF for Accuracy & Integrity
Reduce File Sizes
A PDF with multiple layers and visual elements takes up more space. When you flatten a PDF, you also smash your document size into files that are easier to share and store. Use our Compress PDF tool to make the file even smaller.
Flatten PDFs Online on Any Device
Our Flatten PDF tool can be used from any device right through your browser. Try it out—just drag your PDF into the box above, no matter what screen you’re using.
Edit Before You Flatten PDFs
Need to annotate a PDF before you permanently flatten it? Start with our PDF Editor to get just what you need, then flatten your PDF to preserve your document integrity.
Increase Your PDF Security
A PDF with multiple layers adds multiple elements that can be tampered with. With PDF flattening, you basically lock in the content, increasing the security and integrity of your documents.
All Platforms Love Flattened PDFs
A flatter document is an accessible document. No matter the platform or system, by flattening a PDF you’re reducing compatibility issues that come with complex docs.
Stay Private With Secure Encryption
Your documents are secured with state-of-the-art TLS encryption technology the whole way. Upload, flatten your PDF, and download your new doc—no one will see your files but you.
FAQs About Our Flatten PDF Tool
What is Flatten PDF?
Flattening a PDF file is similar to baking a pizza; it merges all the layers and elements into a single, unmodifiable layer. This process prevents content from being changed or manipulated, ensuring the document's accuracy and improving its fidelity.
Why is it important to flatten PDF layers?
By merging PDF layers, you’re making your document more secure, more reliable, and more compatible across any system. It also removes complexity from the doc, which reduces file size and makes it more shareable across systems. And with everything locked in place, your PDF looks the same no matter who opens it or what device they're using. And when you go to print your PDF, it comes out exactly like it looks on your screen. No surprises!
What happens when I flatten a PDF?
Flattening a PDF merges all elements, including text, images, and fillable form fields, into a single, uneditable layer. This process also removes interactive elements such as hyperlinks and PDF forms. The result is a consistent, non-interactive document that can be easily shared, accessed, and printed across different systems.
Can I undo a flattened PDF to restore the layers?
In general, no. Once a PDF has been flattened, the process can’t be easily reversed. So make sure you save a copy of your original file before flattening in case you need to make edits later. Of course, you can also use a separate tool like our free PDF Editor to recreate annotations, images, links, and more if you don’t have an unflattened copy of your doc.
How can I flatten PDFs online for free?
With the Smallpdf Flatten PDF tool, you can easily merge PDFs with multiple layers into a single-layer document. It’s a cloud-based tool that you can access from any device or browser. And it’s completely free to flatten PDFs with no sign-up required. Just scroll to the top of this page, and drop your doc in the box.