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Compress PDF

Compress a PDF file to reduce its size. See the before and after file size before downloading. Free, instant, private.

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PDF · Max 25 MB

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How to use Compress PDF

  1. Step 1

    Click "Choose file" or drag and drop your PDF onto the upload area.

  2. Step 2

    Select a compression level: High Quality, Balanced, or Maximum Compression.

  3. Step 3

    Click "Compress PDF" to start the optimization.

  4. Step 4

    Review the before/after file size comparison.

  5. Step 5

    Click "Download" to save your compressed PDF.

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Frequently asked questions

How much will my PDF be compressed?

Compression depends on the content. PDFs with many high-resolution images can be reduced by 60–80%. Text-only PDFs typically see smaller reductions of 10–30%.

Does compression reduce image quality?

BrainyPDF re-renders pages to reduce file size, so the output is best suited for PDFs where smaller size matters more than perfect fidelity. The "High Quality" preset keeps more detail; "Maximum Compression" sacrifices more detail for smaller files.

What is the maximum file size I can compress?

Free users: 25 MB. Premium users: 100 MB.

Can I compress PDFs on my phone?

Yes. BrainyPDF is fully responsive, so you can compress PDFs from modern mobile and tablet browsers without installing an app.

Do you keep a copy of my PDF?

No long-term retention. Files are processed with strict temporary storage rules and deleted immediately after download.

Is this tool suitable for email-ready PDFs?

Yes. Use the Balanced or Maximum preset to reduce size for attachment limits while preserving readability.

Are my files uploaded to your servers for compression?

Most standard PDF operations are handled directly in-browser. If a server-side operation is required, files are temporary and deleted immediately after download with strict expiry.

Is this PDF compressor free to use?

Yes. The tool is available in the free tier with monthly operation limits and no account required.

Can I compress PDFs on mobile devices?

Yes. BrainyPDF is fully responsive and supports PDF compression on modern mobile browsers and tablets.

Will text remain searchable after compression?

Not always. Because compression may re-render pages, text can become unsearchable or non-selectable in some PDFs. It works best for image-heavy or mixed documents.