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Compress PDF to Your Target File Size

Compress PDF files locally in your browser to fit portal upload limits. Choose light, recommended, strong, or exact byte target compression modes.

Up to 50 MB per file (10 files per batch) on the Free plan. You can also paste a file from your clipboard.

About Compress PDF & Edge Cases

Shrink PDF file size in your browser using Light, Recommended, Strong, or exact Target Size compression while keeping vector text crisp and selectable. Compress PDF enumerates indirect /Subtype /Image XObjects above 20 KB, downscales and re-encodes RGB and Grayscale streams, and runs QPDF WebAssembly object-stream optimization.

  • CMYK and ICC-profiled print images are skipped and reported untouched so print color profiles are never corrupted into washed-out RGB.
  • If a vector-heavy PDF cannot reach an aggressive Target Size by image recompression alone, the tool honestly reports the minimum achieved size and offers an opt-in Rasterize Pages fallback.

How Compress PDF Works

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Select the PDF file you need to shrink in the Compress PDF workbench above.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Choose Light, Recommended, Strong, or enter a specific Target Size in MB or KB for portal uploads.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Click Compress PDF to view your before-and-after byte savings and download the smaller file.

Plan Limits for Compress PDF

Rendered directly from our active plan configuration. No hidden caps before your first download.

Compare Plans
LimitFree ($0)Day Pass ($4.99) / Pro ($4.00 / month)
Maximum file size50 MB500 MB
Maximum files per batch10 files200 files
Processing locationOn your deviceOn your device

Frequently Asked Questions

Will compressing my PDF make text blurry or non-selectable?
No. Standard compression modes only downscale embedded raster images and compact PDF object streams with QPDF, leaving vector text sharp and selectable.
What happens if my target size is smaller than the PDF's vector content?
Compress PDF never fakes a byte count. It shows the lowest lossless-text size achieved and lets you optionally rasterize pages if meeting a strict portal byte cap is mandatory.
Does Compress PDF upload my files to a server?
No. Compress PDF is a local browser tool. Your file bytes stay on your device, and you can verify zero file uploads in your browser Network tab.
What are the file size and batch limits for Compress PDF?
On the Free plan, you can queue up to 10 files per batch and up to 50 MB per file. The 24-Hour Day Pass and Pro plans support up to 200 files per batch and 500 MB per file.

Verified Portal Upload-Limit Presets

IRCC Secure Account PDF Size LimitLimit: 4 MB (per-file) • Verified 2026-11-01IRCC Portal PDF Size LimitLimit: 5 MB (per-file) • Verified 2026-11-01USCIS Online Filing (myUSCIS) PDF Size LimitLimit: 12 MB (per-file) • Verified 2026-11-01US State Department CEAC (NVC) PDF Size LimitLimit: 4 MB (per-file) • Verified 2026-11-01US Federal Court CM/ECF (NextGen) PDF Size LimitLimit: 50 MB (per-file) • Verified 2026-11-01

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