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Compress PDF files

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What is PDF compression?

PDF compression is when you reduce the size of your PDF file. It works by removing non-essential items such as embedded fonts, metadata, or images. Then it optimises your files for efficiency and safety – all without impacting your file’s readability.

You can usually use a PDF Compressor to resize your PDFs. This can make it easier to upload and share your files without the big data requirements, as compressed PDFs take up less space.

Sound complicated? Trust us, it isn’t. Just drag and drop your PDF into Adobe’s free compression tool to get started.

How to compress a PDF online

It’s easy to compress PDF files online with Adobe Acrobat. The process involves uploading your file, choosing a compression level, then downloading a compressed, resized PDF. Just follow these simple steps:

https://video.tv.adobe.com/v/3435390

  • Click on the blue “Select a file” button to bring up your file browser and select the PDF file you want to compress. Then click “Open”. Alternatively, you can drag and drop your PDF file into the dotted drop zone to speed up the selection process.
  • When you compress a PDF, it’s not one-size fits all. Select your compression level from either “High”, “Medium” or “Low” to suit your needs. The higher the compression, the greater the reduction in file size but longer it will take. Additionally, images and videos could lose some quality.
  • Once you’ve made your decision, click “Compress”. Our compressor tool will automatically reduce the PDF file to the desired size.
  • Before you close your browser, you’ll probably want to save and download your newly compressed PDF. From here, you can store your new, smaller file on your PC or you could sign in and share it with collaborators right from the Adobe site.

Try our free PDF compressor tool

Learn how to compress PDFs quickly and easily with our online compression tool. It's free, simple to use, and works on any device, allowing you to reduce PDF file sizes anytime.

https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/assets/images/shared-images/frictionless/seo-icons/reduce-file.svg | A file being reduced in size

Reduce PDF file sizes for free online

With Adobe online tools, you can make light work of all your tasks. Use the compress PDF tool to reduce the size of your PDF files in just a click.

https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/assets/images/shared-images/frictionless/seo-icons/edit-pdf.svg | A compressed PDF file that can be easily shared

Compress PDF files quickly and easily

Upload PDF files and let Adobe online tools do all the work. Compress your PDF files to a smaller file size, making it easier to save in storage, share and attach to emails.

https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/assets/images/shared-images/frictionless/seo-icons/reliable-pdf.svg | An Acrobat PDF with a measurement bar showing you can choose your compression level

Finetune your compression quality

Whether you want to compress your PDF to 1 MB or 500 KB, you choose your file size. Different compression levels can affect the image quality. Need a super small PDF file? Select High compression. To retain a higher file quality, choose Medium or Low compression.

https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/assets/images/shared-images/frictionless/seo-icons/share.svg | An arrow representing how easy it is to share a compressed PDF file

Share PDFs with collaborators

Resize your PDF to avoid email file size limits and enjoy faster upload speeds (depending on your internet connection) with smaller files. Make sure to adjust the size of your PDF to stay within limits before sharing. Our PDF compression tool makes sharing documents online easier.

https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/assets/images/shared-images/frictionless/seo-icons/protect-pdf.svg | An Acrobat PDF with a lock demonstrating file security you can trust

Edit sensitive files securely

We value your security above all else. With Adobe online tools, if you don’t save your file, we’ll delete them from our servers to protect your privacy. We also install safety measures into every PDF created using Acrobat.

https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/assets/images/shared-images/frictionless/seo-icons/best-pdf.svg | A high-quality compressed PDF file

The leading PDF compressor tool

Adobe created the PDF file format. That’s why we offer the best editing tools available online. Try our free PDF compression tool and reduce file sizes securely on your browser – including Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.

https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/assets/images/shared-images/frictionless/seo-icons/gdpr-encryption.svg | GDPR encyrption

GDPR encryption

Protect your data with Adobe – encryption of data ensures secure data processing when you compress your PDF files. Your file will be securely protected by Adobe – and deleted, unless you choose to save it. Your files are safe – start to finish, and in between.

Questions? We have answers.

How can I reduce the file size of a PDF document for free?

You can compress a PDF for free using Adobe’s online PDF resizer tools. Simply use the Select a file button on the page above to navigate to the file you want to compress. Alternatively, you can drag and drop your file into the box with the dotted outline. You can choose to compress your file in one of three compression levels – high, medium, or low, depending on your requirements.

How do I compress a PDF without losing quality?

Adobe online tools can compress PDF documents without compromising quality. Choosing a low compression level reduces the file size to approximately 1MB while retaining the highest quality settings. For even smaller files, you can select medium compression to reduce your PDF size to further. With ISO/IEC 27001 certification, you can rest assured your files are handled with security and integrity.

Try a 7-day free trial of Adobe Acrobat Pro to test out the precise optimisation tools.

What size PDFs can I compress?

Adobe online tools can compress PDF files up to 2GB using the PDF compression tool – meaning even the biggest documents can be brought down to size. No matter the file size, you can easily compress a PDF to 500 KB, or even lower.

How do I compress a PDF to 1MB and lower?

Some email platforms and file storage systems require documents to be less than 1MB. In this instance, you might need to compress your files.

Here’s how to compress a PDF to 1MB or lower for free:

  1. Go to the  Adobe Compressor  above .
  2. Choose the PDF you want to compress, then  Select  your file or  Drag and Drop  it into the drop zone.
  3. Choose your level of compression then select Compress to reduce the PDF file size to under 1MB.
  4. Once that’s done, simply  Download  your compressed PDF from the webpage

How do I check my PDF file size?

Our compress PDF tool will show you how large your file is after compression. Check the estimated file size before you click Compress when browsing compression level options. On Windows, you can also check file sizes by right-clicking on the file in your folder and selecting Properties. On Mac, you can do this my control-clicking the file and selecting Get Info.

How do I compress a PDF to 100KB?

To compress a PDF to 100KB, use the Acrobat PDF compressor online tool or reduce the file size in Acrobat itself. For the second option, open the app, click ‘Optimise PDF’ in the Tools bar and choose the file you want to compress. Then, simply click ‘Reduce file size’, then select the size and version quality you want.

You can follow the same process to compress a PDF to 500KB.

How do I compress a PDF to 100KB on Mac?

It’s quick and easy to compress and reduce a PDF file size on a Mac. Just take a look at the step-by-step instructions below:

  1. Open the Preview app. This is Apple’s default image and PDF viewer, so you’ll already have this installed.
  2. Once you’re in, open up your PDF.
  3. Click File, then choose Export. Make sure not to press Export as PDF.
  4. Select the Quartz Filter menu, which should pop up on your screen.
  5. Finally, click Reduce file size. You’re all set.

How do I make a PDF smaller so I can upload it?

If you need to upload a large PDF to an online platform – for example, for a school or work project – you may need to make it smaller by reducing the file size. You can do this easily, and for free, using Adobe’s online compressor tools. Remember to check the maximum file size for the platform you need to upload your PDF to so you can compress it to the correct size.

How do I check my PDF file size?

Our compress PDF tool will show you how large your file is after compression. Check the estimated file size before you click Compress when browsing compression level options. On Windows, you can also check file sizes by right-clicking on the file in your folder and selecting Properties. On Mac, you can do this by control-clicking the file and selecting Get Info.

How do I resize the PDF file size?

You can resize a PDF by using Adobe Acrobat’s free online compression tool. Compressing a PDF simplifies its data to reduce the size – and if you’re using a low compression level, it won’t largely affect the quality. This makes PDFs easier to share, upload, and store.

Will compression affect fonts or document quality?

Compressing your PDF can reduce the quality of images or video in extreme circumstances. However, your overall document quality, fonts and styles will not be affected. That means your document layout and design shouldn’t be impacted by the PDF Compressor.

Can I merge PDF files before compressing?

Yes, Adobe offers this functionality. Simply drag and drop your files into our online merger tool, and it will handle the rest. The tool can merge various file types, including JPG/JPEG, PNG, Word, and Excel files, once converted to PDF.

Can I compress a file on a mobile device?

Yes, you can easily upload files and drop files into our compression tool from your mobile device. You can do this on your browser, or the Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app, compatible with both iOS and Android.

Can I edit my PDF once it’s compressed?

Yes, you can use our PDF editor to make changes to your PDF with advanced editing features. Even with a compressed file, you can add text, change fonts, add comments, highlights, and much more.

Are Adobe online tools free?

Yes, Adobe online tools are free to use. They enable you to convert files from one format to another or compress file sizes. To use the tools, go to one of the pages – for example, PDF to Word or Excel to PDF – and follow the simple instructions before downloading your converted or compressed file. Want to share the file? You’ll need to sign up to a free Adobe account.

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