How to make a PDF smaller without losing what matters
A smaller file is easier to email and upload. The right method depends on whether your PDF is a scan, a document with selectable text or a set of images. Save the original before trying a conversion.
First, identify your PDF
Try to select a word in your PDF viewer. If you can select and search text, your file probably has a text layer. If every page behaves like one photograph, it is likely a scan. A text-based PDF can lose searchability when a compressor turns pages into images.
Which option should you try?
| Your file | Suggested next step | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Photos or scans | Try Compress PDF with a moderate image quality. | Small print, signatures and the resulting file size. |
| Selectable text | First remove unnecessary pages with Remove PDF Pages or extract just the pages needed. | That text is still searchable and the pages are complete. |
| Many separate PDFs | Reduce individual scan files if needed, then merge the PDFs. | Page order and combined size. |
Why a compressed file can be larger
This browser tool renders pages into images before building a new PDF. A simple text document may be smaller in its original form. If the download is larger or its text is no longer useful, keep the original and try deleting unnecessary pages instead.
Three checks before sharing
- Compare the original and new file sizes.
- Zoom in on the smallest text and inspect charts or signatures.
- Search for a word if you need the document to remain searchable.
For a scanned document where you need editable words, OCR PDF produces a separate text file; always proofread it.