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Compress

Compress PDF

Make a PDF smaller, or compress it to 1 MB, 500 KB, 200 KB or 100 KB.

Select File
①Select file→②Compress→③Download

Compress a PDF for free in your browser, including to a set size such as 1 MB, 500 KB, 200 KB or 100 KB for an upload form with a limit. Scanned pages are saved at the best quality that still fits, pages full of text stay selectable text, and if the size cannot be reached with the text still readable, you are told the smallest readable size. Light Optimization tidies the file without changing how it looks.

How to compress a PDF

  • Light Optimization: saves the file again in a tidier form, so every page looks the same and text stays selectable. It does not shrink pictures, so a scan or photo barely changes.
  • Scanned Compress: redraws scan and photo pages as smaller pictures, which costs them selectable text, links, forms and annotations. A scan made searchable keeps its text, and a file of over 70% text pages gets Light Optimization.
  • Compression Quality: High Quality stores redrawn pages at 200 DPI, Balanced at 150 DPI and Maximum at 100 DPI. Each step down trades sharpness for a smaller file, and 8 pt print still reads at 100.
  • Compress to a file size: pick 1 MB, 500 KB, 200 KB or 100 KB, or type 10 to 100000 KB. Scanned pages shrink only as far as the size needs, never under 100 DPI unless you accept blurry print.
How to compress a PDF

Step-by-step guide: How to Reduce PDF Size to 1 MB, 200 KB or 100 KB

Frequently asked questions

Is it secure to compress sensitive documents online?
Yes. Your browser compresses the file on your own device, and the file is never sent to a server.
Will my document become blurry or unreadable?
Not unless you choose it. Light Optimization never changes how a page looks. Scanned Compress and Compress to a file size store pages as pictures at 100 DPI or more, where even small 8 pt print stays readable, though text on those pages can no longer be selected and looks softer when zoomed far in. If a file size can only be reached under 100 DPI, the tool tells you and lets you decide.
What is the difference between Light Optimization and Scanned Compress?
Light Optimization saves the file again without changing the pages, so all text stays selectable. It does not make pictures smaller, so a scan or a photo barely changes: a 2.61 MB photo quote stayed 2.61 MB. Scanned Compress is for scans and photos. It copies pages full of text as they are, keeps the hidden words of a scan made searchable by a scanner app, and draws every other page again as one picture at 200, 150 or 100 DPI. Text on a page drawn again can no longer be selected.
Why did Scanned Compress switch to Light Optimization automatically?
Scanned Compress uses Light Optimization instead, and says so, when more than 70% of the pages are text, when its result would be less than 1% smaller, or when pages that carry text would turn into pictures for a saving under 10%.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
You need to remove the password first. Use HonestPDF Unlock PDF to remove protection, compress the unlocked file, then re-protect it with HonestPDF Protect PDF if needed.
How do I compress a PDF to 1 MB, 500 KB or 200 KB?
Choose Compress to a file size, then pick 1 MB, 500 KB or 200 KB, or type your own size in KB. Pages are saved at the best quality that still fits, never under 100 DPI, and pages full of text are kept as selectable text. If the file cannot get that small while staying readable, you are told the smallest readable size and can download it, or choose to make it smaller with blurrier text. Everything runs in your browser, so the document is never uploaded.

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