All tools › Optimize PDF files › Compress PDF
Compress PDF
Make a PDF smaller without turning text into a picture.
or drop a file here · paste with Ctrl+V
PDF · up to 200 MB · text stays as text
Your file stays on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
Compressing…
Your PDF is smaller
How to compress a PDF
To compress a PDF, drop the file in, choose a compression level, and press Compress PDF. SailPDF re-encodes the images inside the document at a resolution that suits its printed size, which is where almost all the weight is. Text, links and form fields stay exactly as they are, so the result is still searchable and selectable.
Add your PDF
Choose a file or drop it in. Its size and page count appear before anything runs.
Pick a level
Recommended suits most files. Extreme saves more; Less compression keeps the highest image quality.
Compress and download
Press Compress PDF. If the file is already efficient, SailPDF says so instead of inflating it.
What Compress PDF does and does not do
Compression works on the images embedded in the PDF: they are re-encoded at a resolution suited to the page, which is normally where the size lives. Text stays vector, so it remains searchable. JPEG images shrink the most; images stored in other formats are left untouched for now, which means some files barely change. A PDF that has already been optimised is reported as such rather than rewritten. Password-protected files must be unlocked first.
Private by design
SailPDF compresses files with code that runs in your browser. Your PDF is never sent to a server.
Questions
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on what is inside. Scans and photo-heavy documents usually shrink by 60–85%; text-only files often cannot be reduced at all, and SailPDF tells you when that is the case.
Will the text stay selectable?
Yes. Only images are re-encoded. Text, links, bookmarks and form fields are untouched, so the file remains searchable and accessible.
What do the three levels mean?
Extreme aims for the smallest file with lower image quality, Recommended balances both, and Less compression keeps images close to the original.
Why did my PDF not get smaller?
Either it contains no large images, or its images are stored in a format this tool does not re-encode yet. You get the original file back rather than a bigger one.
Is compressing a PDF safe?
Yes. The file never leaves your device; the compression runs in your browser tab, so there is no upload and nothing is stored.
Does compression remove hidden content?
No. It reduces image data. Removed or hidden objects are not stripped out, and cropping or redaction are separate jobs.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
Not directly. Remove the password with Unlock PDF first, then compress the unlocked copy.
Is there a file size limit?
Up to 200 MB. Very large files are limited by your device memory rather than by a fixed cap.
Read: Compressing a PDF to fit an email limit