Compress PDF reduces the file size of PDFs that are full of photos or scanned pages. It redraws every page as an optimised JPEG image at the resolution you pick and rebuilds the document, which often cuts a 20 MB scan down to 2–4 MB. You see the original size, the new size and the percentage saved before you download.
Because the work is done by your browser, nothing is uploaded – a real advantage for scanned IDs, medical records or bank statements. Please note the trade-off: the compressed pages are images, so text can no longer be selected or searched. For text-only PDFs the result may even be larger, and the tool tells you when that happens so you can keep the original.
How to use the Compress PDF tool
- Choose or drop the PDF you want to make smaller.
- Pick a level: Light (best quality), Recommended or Strong (smallest file). Open Custom settings for exact DPI and JPEG quality.
- Click Compress PDF and wait while each page is processed.
- Compare the sizes and click Download compressed PDF. If the result is not smaller, download the original instead.
Why use ToolOrca Compress PDF
- Three presets plus custom DPI and quality
- Before and after size comparison
- Optional black-and-white output for extra savings
- Warns you when compression does not help
- Great for scans and photo-heavy PDFs
- Processed offline in your browser
How this PDF compressor works
Each page is rendered at the chosen resolution (for example 110 DPI for Recommended) and saved as a JPEG with the selected quality. Those images are then placed into a new PDF with the original page sizes. Scanned documents usually contain huge, uncompressed images, so this method can save 70–90%.
The downside is that the new pages are pictures: you cannot copy text, search it, or fill in form fields. Keep your original file for editing, and use the compressed copy for sending or uploading.
Choosing the right level
Light (150 DPI) keeps small print crisp and suits documents you may print. Recommended (110 DPI) is ideal for reading on screen and for email. Strong (72 DPI) gives the smallest file and is fine for previews and portals with strict size limits, but small text can look soft.
If your PDF is mostly text created in Word or Google Docs, it is probably already compact. In that case splitting it with Split PDF or removing pages with Remove pages is a better way to reduce its size.
Frequently asked questions
How can I compress a PDF to under 1 MB?
Start with Recommended. If the result is still too large, choose Strong or lower the DPI and quality under Custom settings, and tick black & white if colour is not needed. Very long documents may also need to be split.
Why did my compressed PDF get bigger?
Your PDF probably contains mostly text and vector graphics, which are already very small. Turning those pages into images adds size. The tool detects this and offers the original file instead.
Will the text still be searchable after compression?
No. Pages become images, so text cannot be selected or searched. Keep the original if you need that.
Is it safe to compress private documents here?
Yes. The PDF is processed by your browser and never uploaded, so nobody else can access it.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, in any modern mobile browser. Very large PDFs (hundreds of pages) can take a while on older phones; a computer is faster for those.