How to use
- Drag the PDF you want to compress into the area above, or click to select it. The total page count and current file size appear right away.
- Pick a compression level. The default Recommended is enough for most documents; choose Strong for tight upload limits, or Best quality for drawings and fine print.
- Click Compress PDF. Each page is redrawn and compressed with a progress bar, and when it finishes a file named filename_compressed.pdf downloads automatically.
- Check the result panel for the original size, new size, and percentage saved. Not satisfied? Switch levels and compress again.
How this tool differs from other PDF compressor sites
Most popular online PDF compressors upload your file to their own servers, process it there, and send the result back. You have no way of knowing when the uploaded document gets deleted or who can see it during processing — an uncomfortable thought when the file is a contract, a certificate, a medical report, or a pay stub.
ThisIsMyPDF's Compress PDF never sends your file anywhere. It uses the PDF rendering technology built into your browser to draw each page — just as if displaying it on screen — and packs the result into a new, smaller PDF, so the entire process happens on your computer (or phone). That design brings three advantages: privacy (the file never leaves your device), speed (no upload or download queue), and no limits (no caps on pages, uses, or file size — and it stays free).
An honest note — how the compression works, and its trade-off
This tool redraws every page at a chosen resolution and stores it as a JPEG image inside a new PDF. That is why scanned documents, whose pages are large images to begin with, shrink dramatically. But there is a clear trade-off: pages in the compressed PDF are images, so text can no longer be selected, searched, or copied, and accessibility tools such as screen readers cannot read the content.
- Good fit — scanned contracts and receipts, email attachments, government or job-application portals with upload size limits, archival copies
- Poor fit — reports, papers, or e-books whose content you will need to search, copy, or quote later (always keep the original in that case)
Choosing a compression level
- Strong — the smallest output. Perfectly readable on screen, though letter edges may soften when zoomed in. Choose it to squeeze under tight upload limits like 5 MB or 10 MB.
- Recommended (default) — the balance point between quality and size. Right for everyday documents, scanned paperwork, and email attachments.
- Best quality — stays close to the original sharpness at the cost of a smaller reduction. Use it for drawings, fine-print tables, and anything headed to a printer.
The original size, the new size, and the percentage saved are shown as soon as compression finishes, so feel free to try several levels and compare. A text-only PDF that is already light, or a file that was already heavily compressed, can actually grow when redrawn as images — in that case the tool skips the download and tells you to keep your original.
Great for
- A scanned PDF too big for email attachment limits (usually 10-25 MB)
- Meeting the upload size limits (5-10 MB) of government portals and job-application systems
- Scanned contracts and supporting documents photographed on a phone that ballooned to tens of MB
- Sharing lecture notes or brochures lightly over chat apps and forums
Frequently asked questions
Are my files really never sent to a server?
Yes. Compression runs entirely on your device using technology built into your browser. If you open the Network tab in your browser's developer tools, you will see no file upload requests. Even sensitive documents like contracts, certificates, or medical reports are safe to use.
Is it true that text can no longer be selected or searched after compression?
Yes, that is true. This tool shrinks the file by redrawing each page as an image, so in the compressed PDF you cannot select, search, or copy text. It is ideal for scanned documents (which are images to begin with), email attachments, and uploads with size limits — but if you need to search or copy the content later, keep the original file as well.
Which compression level should I choose?
For most documents the default Recommended level looks fine on screen and in print. Pick Strong when you must squeeze under a tight upload limit (say 5 MB or 10 MB), and Best quality for drawings or fine print where sharpness matters. The resulting size is shown immediately, so you can switch levels and compress again to compare.
How much smaller will my PDF get? Can it get bigger instead?
PDFs full of scans or photos usually shrink to less than half, and Strong compression can cut 70-90%. However, a text-only PDF that is already light, or a file that was already heavily compressed, can actually grow when redrawn as images. In that case the tool skips the download and tells you to keep using your original.
Can password-protected PDFs be compressed?
A PDF locked with an open password cannot be read, so it is not compressed and a notice is shown instead. Please remove the password first and try again with the unlocked file.