Compress PDF
Add a PDF, choose how small it should be and download a lighter copy. The pages are re-saved on your device, and nothing is uploaded.
Drop PDF files here
or paste from your clipboard
Nothing is uploaded. Files stay on your device. Up to 200 MB each.
Options
- No upload Files stay on your device
- No account No signup, no watermark
- Free No usage limits
How to use this converter
- In Options pick the level (smaller file, balanced or best quality) and, if you need a hard limit, a maximum size such as 500 KB.
- Add your PDF files. Each page is redrawn and saved as a compressed picture.
- Press Compress and download the lighter PDF. The list shows the new size next to the original.
Why compress a PDF
Email systems, portals and application forms often cap the size of a PDF, while scans and photos make files very large. Re-saving the pages as compressed pictures can reduce a scanned PDF to a fraction of its size.
Typical situations
- Fitting a scanned application into an email attachment limit
- Uploading documents to a portal with a maximum file size
- Making a photo heavy PDF easier to share
What to watch for
This tool redraws every page and saves it as a compressed JPG picture inside a new PDF. Scans and photo based PDFs shrink a lot, but the text on the pages becomes part of the picture and is no longer selectable or searchable, and links are lost. A PDF that is mostly text and already small cannot be shrunk this way, and in that case you get the original back unchanged and the result says so. Choose Best quality if small text must stay readable.
Tips for better results
- Try Balanced first and move to Smaller file only if the size is still too big.
- Set Maximum file size to the exact limit of the form, such as 1 MB, and the tool lowers quality until it fits.
- Keep the original, because the compressed copy has no selectable text.
Frequently asked questions
Why did I get my original PDF back instead of a smaller one?
A PDF that already stores text as text is very compact, and turning its pages into pictures would make it bigger. In that case the tool returns the original unchanged and shows a note, because there is nothing to gain.
Can I compress a PDF online for free?
Yes. Compression runs online in your browser, it is free, and there is no account, signup or watermark.
How do I compress a PDF to under 1 MB?
Pick Under 1 MB as the maximum file size in Options and add the PDF. The tool lowers the picture quality of the pages until the file fits, as far as the content allows.
Will I still be able to search or copy text in the compressed PDF?
No. Pages are saved as pictures, so the text is part of the image. If you need text, use PDF to text on the original instead.
Does it work for scanned PDFs?
Yes, scanned PDFs benefit most, because they are made of large pictures that compress well.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs in your browser using your own device, so the files are not sent to Convert In Place or anyone else. See how it works for a way to check this yourself.
Is there a limit on file size or number of files?
You can use it as often as you like. One batch holds up to 200 files, and each file can be up to 200 MB. Large files and long batches depend on the memory of your device, and phones handle less than computers.
Related converters
- Merge PDF FilesAdd two or more PDF files, put them in order and download one combined PDF.
- Split PDFAdd a PDF and either save every page as its own file or extract the pages you choose into a new PDF.
- JPG to PDF ConverterAdd one or more images, put them in order and create a single PDF.
- Compress JPG ImagesAdd JPG photos, choose a maximum size such as 100 KB or 500 KB and download smaller copies.
Guides
Last reviewed October 2026. Conversion uses open source libraries running in your browser, listed on the how it works page. Convert In Place is not affiliated with Apple, Google, Adobe or any format owner.