Is the PDF uploaded to a server?

No. The PDF is opened, re-rendered and rebuilt entirely inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored or shared.

Will the text stay selectable after compression?

No. Size reduction works by re-rendering each page as an optimised image, so text becomes part of the image. If you need selectable text, use a higher quality preset or keep the original file alongside the compressed copy.

What is the best quality setting?

Use High (fewer savings, sharpest text) for documents you will print, Balanced for email and portals, and Maximum compression for scanned files where readability matters more than sharpness.

Can I compress several PDFs at once?

Yes. Add multiple PDFs and each one is reduced with the same settings; download them individually when the run finishes.

Why is my compressed PDF slightly larger than the target?

Some PDFs (very dense scans, many photographs) cannot reach the target without becoming unreadable. In that case the tool returns the smallest readable result and tells you the size it achieved.

PDF Size Reducer

Compress a PDF to an exact target size in KB or MB — or pick a quality preset. Everything runs in your browser, so your documents never leave your device.

1. Add your PDF files

Drag & drop PDFs here

2. Choose how much to compress

Target size

The tool runs several passes and keeps the highest quality version that fits your target.

Files are processed locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to a server.

Free file tool

Free PDF Size Reducer online

Re-encode PDF page content and images toward a smaller downloadable file while making clear that an exact target cannot be guaranteed for every document. Use the tool directly in your browser with no sign-up. It is designed for one source at a time so the workflow stays simple and easy to verify.

Free to use

No payment required for this tool.

One source at a time

Process and verify one source before the next.

Browser-based

The conversion workflow runs from the web page on your device.

No sign-up

Start the file workflow without creating an account.

What PDF Size Reducer is useful for

Meeting PDF upload-size limits
Reducing attachment size
Creating a smaller sharing copy of a large document

Input and output checks

Accepted input: pdf.

Open the downloaded output before deleting or replacing the source file.
Check the details that matter for your use: page count, dimensions, orientation, text, duration or metadata.
If quality or size matters, compare more than one settings combination before choosing the final copy.

How to use this calculator: PDF Size Reducer

1Upload the PDF and note its original byte size and page count.
2Choose a realistic target or quality level; text-heavy and image-heavy files compress differently.
3Run the reducer and compare original size with the actual downloaded size.
4Open the result and inspect small text, diagrams, scanned pages, links and page count before using it.

Worked conversion example

Example: upload a 12 MB source file, choose a moderate quality setting, and run the tool. Exact output size depends on image detail, fonts, pages, duration and codec efficiency; compare the downloaded result visually before replacing the original.

Accepted input: pdf
Batch behaviour: One source at a time

Output settings

Setting	Example/default	Effect
Target file size	Selected target	The engine attempts the target, but source complexity and minimum readable quality can prevent an exact size.
Image quality	Automatic	Lower values reduce image bytes but can introduce blur or compression artefacts.

How the browser process works

Re-encode PDF page content and images toward a smaller downloadable file while making clear that an exact target cannot be guaranteed for every document. The page sends the selected file and settings to its pdf-size-reduce browser engine, creates a new output and downloads it without overwriting the source.

Privacy, quality checks and limitations

Keep the original file until the downloaded output has been opened and checked.
Verify page count, orientation, dimensions, text legibility, audio/video duration and metadata relevant to your use.
Browser-local processing reduces routine upload exposure, but your device, browser extensions and download location still matter.
A converted preview is not proof of legal authenticity, archival compliance, accessibility or digital-signature validity.

How the PDF size reducer works

1Upload one or more PDF files.
2Choose a target size such as 100 KB, 200 KB or 1 MB, or select a quality preset.
3Run the PDF size reduction process.
4The tool tests quality and render-scale settings to approach the requested target.
5Review the result and download the smaller PDF.

Frequently asked questions

Upload the PDF, switch the mode to “Target file size”, type the size you need (for example 100 KB) and press Reduce PDF size. The tool automatically searches the best combination of render scale and JPEG quality until the output lands at or below your target.

Related PDF tools

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