Live
Merge PDF
Combine PDFs into one file
Compress PDF
LiveSqueeze scans and image-heavy PDFs down to a fraction of their size, and see exactly how much smaller.
What it does
- Three levels, from smallest file to highest quality
- See the before and after size, and the percent saved
- Never hands back a bigger file than you started with
Your files
Gone within the hour.
Files are uploaded over HTTPS, used only to run this tool, and deleted from our server automatically about an hour later. Never sold, never used to train anything.
How to compress a PDF
Add the PDF
One file, up to 50 MB. The pages render as a preview so you can see what you are about to squeeze.
Pick how hard to squeeze
Three levels: Smaller file for the most compression and the least image detail, Balanced, which is the recommendation for most documents, and Higher quality, which keeps detail and saves less.
Press Compress PDF
Scans and image-heavy files shrink the most, because that is where the size is. A PDF that is mostly text is already small and will barely move.
Check the numbers before you download
The result screen shows the before and after size and the percentage saved. If compressing would have produced a bigger file, you get your original back instead, so you can never end up worse off.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller will my PDF get?
Scans and image-heavy PDFs often shrink by half or more. Text-only PDFs are already small, so the gain is modest. The result screen shows the exact before and after.
Will compression make my PDF look worse?
The three levels trade size against image sharpness. Highest quality is usually indistinguishable from the original; smallest file is for hard email limits.
Why did I get my original file back?
If compressing would have produced a bigger file, you get the original back instead. You never end up worse off.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
No. Remove the password first; the tool tells you clearly when a file is protected.
Guides
all compress pdf guides- How do I get my PDF under a 1 MB upload limit?Open Compress PDF, choose Smaller file, and check the result before sending it.Main guide
- How do I compress a PDF to 500KB?Open Compress PDF, choose Smaller file, download the result, and check its size against 500 KB.How-to
- Why is my PDF so big?A PDF is usually large because it contains scanned pages, high-resolution photographs, or other image-heavy content.Explainer