Drag and drop a PDF to reduce file size with our PDF compressor.
Join 750M+ monthly users getting more done with Acrobat.
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How to compress a PDF
Follow these easy steps to learn how to make a PDF smaller:
Click the Select a file button above, or drag and drop files into the drop zone.
Select the PDF file you want to make smaller.
Select the compression level you would like to apply to your document.
After uploading, Acrobat will automatically reduce the file size.
Download your compressed PDF file or sign in to share it.
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Try our free PDF compressor tool
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Compress a PDF for easier file sharing
Reduce your PDF file size for free with Acrobat when you need to share or store a smaller file. Upload your file or attach it to an email without worrying about size limits. You can also save your file without using up storage space.
Download a compressed PDF with no hidden fees
With the online PDF compression tool, you can download a compressed PDF without sharing any personal information. Your file is deleted from Adobe servers, and the content of your file is only accessible to you.
Big file? No biggie: compress files up to 2GB
Adobe's PDF compressor can handle files up to 2GB, so you can reduce the size of those large PDFs. Save storage and share with ease when you create a smaller version of your big file.
Choose a compression level for an optimized PDF
When you compress a PDF, the file undergoes space-saving steps like reducing image resolution, flatting interactive layers, and removing unused metadata. You can choose between High, Medium, and Low compression level in Acrobat's online tool, balancing your needs for quality and size.
Do it all with Acrobat
After compressing your PDF, you can create a free Acrobat account to take additional steps. Convert PDFs to other file formats, merge and split files, and fill and sign documents - all with Adobe Acrobat.
Adobe: PDF compression you can trust
As the creators of the PDF, Adobe continues to innovate with high-quality PDF tools. Compress your PDFs with confidence when you use Adobe Acrobat.
Frequently asked questions.
To compress a PDF with Adobe Acrobat, upload your file, select your reduced file size, and save. Acrobat automatically removes redundant data and optimizes images to reduce file size without replacing or losing document content. The online compress tool in Acrobat works directly in your browser with no installation or software required.
Adobe Acrobat's PDF compression tool works by quietly optimizing the file, lowering image resolution where applicable, and removing excess data, while leaving your content the same. You can choose between different compression presets for your file that are ideal for screen viewing, standard print, or high-quality print. Acrobat preserves hyperlinks, form fields, and digital signatures when a file is compressed.
Adobe Acrobat can reduce a typical PDF by more than 50-80% depending on how image-heavy the file is and which compression setting you use. A 10MB PDF with many high-resolution images can often be reduced to under 2MB using the “Reduce File Size” option in Acrobat. Files that are comprised of mostly text compress less dramatically since text data is already compact.
Anyone who regularly shares PDFs via email, uploads them to web forms, or stores large document archives should use Adobe Acrobat's compression tools to keep file sizes manageable. It's particularly useful for marketing teams distributing large brochures, HR departments handling benefit booklets, and legal teams managing case files. Acrobat's compression tool helps ensure documents meet attachment limits and load quickly for recipients.
Adobe Acrobat offers more precise control over compression settings than most browser-based tools. Unlike third-party compressors that process files on external servers, Acrobat compresses your PDFs locally on your device when using the desktop app, which can be important for confidential files.
Yes, when you compress PDFs with the Adobe Acrobat desktop app, your files are kept on your local device rather than an external server. If you use the Acrobat online compression tool, files are processed on secure servers and then deleted automatically. Acrobat's compression tool does not remove or alter password protection or encryption settings on protected PDFs.
Adobe Acrobat can compress most standard PDF files, including scanned documents, image-heavy PDFs, fillable forms, and multi-page reports. It does not support compression of password-protected PDFs unless you enter the password first, and encrypted files may have limited compression options. Acrobat's compression tool handles RGB, CMYK, and grayscale color spaces.
Adobe Acrobat's online PDF compression tool is available for free with limited use. There is no sign-up, credit card, or subscription required for basic PDF compression unless you want to save your document. Unlimited compression, batch processing, and advanced setting controls require a paid Acrobat plan. See all plans here.
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