Compress PDF Files Online for Free
Reduce PDF file size with selectable compression modes. Keep the text layer or use image-based Screen mode; check the output for readability before submitting.
What is PDF Compressor?
PDF compression works best when a document contains large images. A PDF made mostly of text may already be small and may barely shrink. This tool runs in your browser; the original stays on your device.
Low, Medium, and High re-encode embedded images while keeping the text layer. Screen mode turns pages into images, which removes selectable text. Choose a mode according to what the receiving portal needs, rather than assuming the smallest output is always best.
For a 100 KB upload limit, remove blank or unnecessary pages first, then try Medium on the original. If the result is still too large, try High from the original. Screen mode is an option only when searchable text is unnecessary. No mode can guarantee that every document will fit a chosen limit.
When should you use PDF Compressor?
- Your PDF is too large to attach to an email and gets bounced or rejected
- A job portal or government form requires an upload under 100KB or 200KB
- You scanned a stack of documents and the resulting PDF is huge
- You need to send a contract or report but the file exceeds a size limit
- You want to store many PDFs without filling up cloud or device storage
- You are uploading a resume or application and the site caps the file size
- You have 20 invoices or receipts to shrink before sending them in one go
- A shared drive or LMS refuses your PDF because it is over the allowed limit
Benefits of using PDF Compressor
Keep text or prioritize size
Use Low, Medium, or High when readers need to select text. Screen mode trades that capability for image-based pages.
Compare before submitting
Check the output size and inspect small print, signatures, stamps, and QR codes. A file that meets the size limit can still be unreadable.
Work from the original
Keep a copy and start each compression attempt from it. Repeatedly compressing an already compressed scan can compound image damage.
How to use PDF Compressor
- 1
Open the PDF Compressor
Go to the DocsSeva PDF Compressor page in any modern browser. There is no sign-up and nothing to install.
- 2
Add your PDF files
Drag and drop your PDF onto the page or click to select it from your device. You can add up to 20 files at once for batch compression.
- 3
Choose a compression level
Pick Low, Medium, or High to keep text selectable, or choose Screen mode for the largest possible size reduction. Higher compression means a smaller file.
- 4
Run the compression
Start the process and let the tool work locally in your browser. Your files are never uploaded, so this stays private and on your device.
- 5
Download your compressed PDF
Save the smaller file to your device. It comes out with no watermark and is ready to email, upload, or store.
Common problems & how to fix them
Your PDF may already be compressed, in which case the tool returns it unchanged. Try a higher level, and use Screen mode when you need the largest guaranteed reduction.
Switch to a stronger mode or Screen mode, which rasterizes pages for the biggest shrink. Very image-heavy or scanned files are the hardest to squeeze under tight limits.
Screen mode rasterizes pages into images, which removes selectable text. If you need the text to stay searchable, use Low, Medium, or High instead.
Scanned pages are images, so heavier compression trades some sharpness for size. Step down to a lower compression level to keep more detail while still saving space.
Remove the password or open-permissions restriction on the document first, then compress the unlocked copy.
Files up to 1 GB are supported. If your device slows down with a very large file, close other browser tabs to free up memory and try again.
Before you use the output
- Compare the downloaded file size with the portal’s limit.
- Open every page at normal reading zoom; inspect small text and stamps.
- Confirm page count and text selection. Editing may invalidate a digital signature.