Compress PDF
Make a PDF smaller so it is easy to send or upload.
or pick one from your device
Choose PDFHow to compress a PDF
- Choose a PDF.
- Pick a mode: Keep text if you still need to select or search the text, or Smallest file for the biggest saving.
- Pick a compression level. Balanced works for most files.
- Press Compress PDF, then download the smaller file.
Tips
- Try Keep text with Balanced first. It keeps the text selectable and only shrinks photos and scans.
- If the file is still too big, try Smallest file, or a stronger level. Remember that Smallest file turns pages into images.
- For a long PDF, split it into parts of up to 100 pages first, then compress each part.
- Open the compressed file and check important pages, such as signatures and small print, before you send it.
Read the full guide: How to compress a PDF without losing the text
Common questions
Will the text still be selectable?
In Keep text mode, yes. Only the photos and scans inside the PDF are compressed. In Smallest file mode, each page is saved as an image, so you can no longer select, copy or search the text. Keep the original if you need that.
Why did my PDF not get smaller?
A PDF that is mostly text is already small, so there is little to shrink. Keep text mode only compresses images, and Smallest file mode can even make a text PDF bigger. When that happens, Velfile tells you and does not offer a download.
How many pages can I compress?
Up to 100 pages at a time. For a longer PDF, split it first with Split PDF.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The file is processed in your browser on your device and is not sent to a server.
Which compression level should I pick?
Light keeps the best quality, Balanced suits most files, and Maximum gives the smallest file but the lowest image quality.
Does compressing change my original file?
No. You get a new, smaller file, and the original stays as it is.
Related tools
Guide
How to compress a PDF without losing the text: what makes a PDF big, and which mode to pick.