Compress PDF
Shrink a PDF for email and uploads. Pick how hard to squeeze; you see the size before and after.
or drop a PDF anywhere on this page · up to 20 MB
Encrypted on our server, deleted right after you download it.
Done
DownloadAbout Compress PDF
Compress PDF shrinks a PDF so it fits email attachments and upload limits. Pick a level: Extreme for the smallest file, Recommended for a good balance, or Less to keep print quality. You see exactly how much smaller the file got.
Images are resampled and the file is rebuilt with modern compression, using Ghostscript and qpdf in an isolated sandbox. If a PDF is already as small as it gets, you get the original back instead of a bigger file.
Why use hellpdf
- Three compression levels
- Shows the size before and after
- Never returns a bigger file
- Encrypted handling, deleted after download
How to compress PDF
- Add your file. Pick it or drop it on the page. It's sent over HTTPS and stored encrypted with a key only your browser holds.
- Choose your settings. Then press the button; you’ll see progress as it uploads and works.
- Download. We delete our encrypted copy as soon as your browser has it, and anything left over after an hour.
Compress PDF: frequently asked questions
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on the content. PDFs with photos or scans often shrink by 50–90%; text-only PDFs are usually small already.
Does compression reduce quality?
Recommended keeps pages sharp on screen. Extreme makes images noticeably softer; Less keeps print quality.
Is it safe for confidential files?
Your file is sent over HTTPS, encrypted on arrival with a key only your browser keeps, processed in an isolated sandbox, and deleted as soon as you download the result (at most one hour later). Files can be up to 20 MB.
What’s the maximum file size?
20 MB per file.