Compress a PDF

Make large PDFs small enough to email or upload. Images are recompressed and unused data removed while text stays crisp. Image-heavy files often shrink by 90% or more.

Free · no sign-up · no watermark

How to compress a PDF

  1. 1

    Upload your PDF

    Any PDF that's too big to send.

  2. 2

    Choose a level

    Balanced for everyday use, or strong for the smallest file.

  3. 3

    Download

    See the new size before you download.

Why PDFTEK for Compress PDF

  • Shrinks image-heavy PDFs dramatically
  • Text stays sharp and searchable
  • Choose quality vs. size
  • No watermark

Price

Free without an account: 3 tasks a day (6 with a free account), files up to 20 MB.

See all plans →

Compress PDF: frequently asked questions

How much smaller will my PDF get?

It depends on the content. Scans and photo-heavy PDFs shrink the most, often by 90% or more. Text-only PDFs are usually small already.

Will the quality drop?

Text and vector graphics stay sharp. Photos are recompressed; the balanced level keeps them looking good on screen and in print.

Is it really free?

Yes. Free without an account: 3 tasks a day (6 with a free account), files up to 20 MB. No watermark is added. If you need more, a Day Pass is $1.99 for 24 hours and Pro is $5.99/month.

Is it safe to upload my files?

Files are sent over HTTPS and stored in your private workspace, never shared or used to train AI. Files from sessions without an account are deleted automatically after 24 hours, and you can delete any file yourself at any time.

Related PDF tools

All PDF tools →