Compress a PDF
Make PDFs small enough for email, job portals and application forms. Choose a level or aim for a target size.
A fresh start for your PDFs.
Drag a PDF file here and let’s make something happen.
Only on your device. Always in your control.
How to compress a PDF
- 1
Choose the PDF you want to make smaller.
- 2
Pick a compression level, or set an exact target size such as 200 KB.
- 3
Press Compress PDF and download. You'll see the before and after size.
About this tool
Most large PDFs are big because of scanned pages or high resolution photos. pdfy first rebuilds the file structure losslessly. If that isn't enough, it re-renders each page as an optimized image at the resolution you choose. That is the same technique that gives the biggest savings on scanned documents.
Heads up: Balanced, Strong and image-based target compression can turn pages into images, so the text in the result can't be selected or searched. For documents where that matters, use the Light level or keep a copy of the original.
Choose a target size
Set a target like 100 KB. Keep text editable, or choose image-based compression for smaller output; the target is not guaranteed.
Keep text editable
Light optimizes embedded images while preserving selectable text, links and forms.
Before and after
See the size saved instantly, and retry with a different level in one tap.
Compress PDF FAQ
How do I compress a PDF to 100 KB or 200 KB?
Switch to Target size and type the size you need, or open one of the presets: 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB. pdfy searches for the highest quality that fits.
Will compression make my PDF blurry?
Light and Balanced keep documents easy to read. Strong and very small targets trade sharpness for size. Check the preview before sending.
Why is my text no longer selectable after compressing?
Image-based compression flattens each page. Use Light or enable Keep text selectable for target compression. Black-and-white conversion always makes image pages.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. pdfy processes your files inside your browser using your own device. Local tools do not upload documents. If you choose Save draft, that draft is stored only in this browser. You can confirm it in your browser's network panel: no file is ever sent.
Is it really free? Are there limits?
Yes, it is free with no sign up, no watermark on your output and no daily task limit. Because your device does the work, the only practical limit is your device's memory.