---
title: "How to compress a PDF to a smaller size | ToolSugar"
description: "Shrink a PDF for email or an upload form, learn what the three strengths do, and why the text may stop being selectable afterwards."
canonical: https://toolsugar.com/blog/how-to-compress-a-pdf
image: https://toolsugar.com/og.png
---

# How to compress a PDF and keep it readable

Updated 2026-11-09

To compress a PDF, reduce the weight of the images inside it. Compress PDF does this in your browser by drawing each page as a picture, saving it as a JPG at the strength you pick, and building a new PDF. It works well on scans and photo-heavy files. The trade-off is that the text is no longer selectable.

[Open Compress PDF](https://toolsugar.com/tools/compress-pdf)

## Compress a PDF in four steps

Keep the original file. The compressed copy cannot be turned back into text.

1. Choose one PDF.
2. Pick Smallest, Balanced or Sharpest. Smaller files look softer.
3. Press Compress PDF and wait while each page is redrawn.
4. Compare the sizes in the result and download the compressed PDF.

## What the three strengths change

Each strength sets two numbers, the resolution of the page picture and the JPG quality. Smallest uses 72 dpi at quality 50. Balanced uses 110 dpi at quality 65. Sharpest uses 150 dpi at quality 80.

A lower resolution means fewer pixels per page, and a lower quality means the JPG throws away more detail. Both make the file smaller and the page softer. Start with Balanced, zoom in on a page of small print, and only go to Smallest if the file is still too big.

## Why the text is no longer selectable

The new PDF holds one picture per page. Words, links and form fields are part of that picture, so you cannot select, search or click them. That is the price of this method.

For a scan this changes nothing, because a scan was already a picture. For a report made in a word processor, keep the original or accept the loss.

## When no smaller file is made

A PDF that is mostly text is already tiny. A picture of a page is bigger than the instructions that draw it. The tool compares the two sizes and makes no file if the result would be larger, so you never download something worse.

If you get that message, the file is probably fine as it is. Try Smallest once, and if it still fails, split the file to send only the pages you need.

## Fitting an upload limit

The tool gives you three fixed levels, not a target size. If the best one is still above the limit, divide the file into parts with Split PDF and send them separately.

## Questions

### How much smaller will my PDF get?

It depends on the content. Scans and photos shrink the most. The result page shows the size before and after so you can see the real saving.

### Does compressing remove pages or images?

No. Every page is kept and drawn again. Only the sharpness changes, as set by the strength you picked.

### Can I compress a PDF more than once?

You can, but each pass draws the pictures again and loses more detail. Run it once from the original.

### Is the PDF sent to a server to be compressed?

No. The pages are drawn and rebuilt by your browser, and the file does not leave your device.

[Open Compress PDF](https://toolsugar.com/tools/compress-pdf)

## Related guides

- [How to merge PDF files into one](https://toolsugar.com/blog/how-to-merge-pdf-files)
- [How to split a PDF into separate files](https://toolsugar.com/blog/how-to-split-a-pdf)
- [How to compress an image without losing quality](https://toolsugar.com/blog/how-to-compress-an-image)
- [How to convert a PDF to JPG or PNG](https://toolsugar.com/blog/how-to-convert-a-pdf-to-images)

## Comparisons

- [iLovePDF alternative](https://toolsugar.com/alternatives/ilovepdf-alternative)
- [Smallpdf alternative](https://toolsugar.com/alternatives/smallpdf-alternative)