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Compress PDF
Shrink scanned PDFs, certificates and forms so they fit upload limits like 200KB or 1MB, without sending them to any server.
Files are processed on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
How do I compress a PDF?
To compress a PDF, drop it here, choose Recommended or type a target like 200 KB, and tap Compress. Fileora redraws each page at a lighter resolution inside your browser and rebuilds the PDF, so scanned files often shrink by more than half. Nothing is uploaded.
Compress PDF in 3 steps
Add a PDF
Drop the PDF you want to make smaller.
Pick a level or size
Choose Recommended, or type a target like 200 KB.
Download
Get the smaller PDF and see how much you saved.
Why are scanned PDFs so large?
A scanner or phone app saves every page as a high-resolution photo, often 300 DPI or more in full colour. That is far more detail than a screen or an upload portal needs, which is why scanned PDFs compress so well.
Which level should I pick?
Light keeps pages close to the original and is good for printing. Recommended is the best balance for email and online forms. Extreme is for strict limits like 100KB, but check that small text is still readable before you submit.
How does the KB target work?
The tool tries a series of settings from sharp to small and stops at the first one that fits under your target. If even the smallest readable setting is too big, it gives you that version and tells you.
Updated 06 October 2026 · Made by the Fileora team
Questions people ask
How much smaller will my PDF get?
Scanned PDFs and PDFs full of photos often shrink by 50 to 90 percent. PDFs that are mostly typed text are already small, so they shrink less.
Will the text stay sharp?
Recommended keeps text easy to read on screen and in print. Extreme makes the file much smaller, but fine print can get soft, so check it before you upload.
Can I still select and copy the text after compressing?
No. To make pages smaller, each page is saved as a compressed image, so the text is no longer selectable. Keep your original if you need to copy text.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Compression runs inside your browser, so your PDF stays on your device.
Can I compress a PDF on my phone?
Yes. Open this page in Chrome or Safari, pick the PDF from your files, and download the result.
My PDF is still too big. What can I do?
Use Split PDF to remove pages you don't need, or Delete PDF Pages, then compress again.