Compress PDF
Three quality presets — pick the one that fits the smallest size your eyes can tolerate.
100% in your browser. Your file never leaves your device.
Features
- Three presets: low / medium / high
- Up to 80% size reduction on image-heavy PDFs
- Live size-saving estimate after compression
- No upload — everything runs locally
- Works on any PDF
- Native app does vector-preserving compression
About this tool
This tool helps you reduce a PDF file size for email, upload, or storage. Processing starts only after you choose a file yourself. Clip PDF does not send the file to its own upload service: the work runs in the browser on your device. That makes it useful for one-off jobs where you need a new working copy quickly.
The workflow is deliberately transparent: you can load a PDF, choose a quality level, and compare the result and file size. Only then is the new file created. Image pages are rendered again for the selected level; text and vector pages often shrink less. For important documents, inspect the preview and open the downloaded result once more before sharing it.
Local processing improves data minimisation, but it does not replace a careful result check. Strong compression can make small text and photos visibly softer. Keep the original file and follow your organisation's security rules for contracts, official records, and sensitive documents.
How to compress a PDF
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Pick a level
Low keeps quality; high keeps file size small.
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Drop your PDF
Choose the file you want to shrink.
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Compress
Pages are re-rendered and packed locally.
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Download
The compressed PDF is offered for download.
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Review the result
Open the new file and check its content, page order, and legibility before sharing it.
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Store the copy
Save the checked result somewhere you can find later; the source file remains unchanged.
Typical use cases
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A quick one-off task
Use the tool when you need to reduce a PDF file size for email, upload, or storage without creating an account or sending the document to a third-party upload service. Until download, the new file remains a local browser result.
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Check before sharing
For email attachments, applications, or team review: create a copy, open it again, and check page count, legibility, order, and visible content before sending it onward.
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Working in a browser
On a personal computer or mobile device, the browser version is convenient for occasional jobs. For repeated, very large, or legally sensitive workflows, dedicated desktop or enterprise software is often a better fit.
Tips & limitations
- Work on a copy and keep the original unchanged.
- Open the downloaded PDF and check every page before sharing it.
- Strong compression can make small text and photos visibly softer.
- For confidential documents, also follow your organisation's rules and secure the device you are using.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller will it be?
Typical reduction: 30–80% depending on content. Image-heavy PDFs benefit most.
Does text stay sharp?
At "low" yes. At "high" text becomes raster — readable but not zoomable indefinitely.
Is metadata preserved?
No — re-rendering produces a fresh PDF. Use Optimize if you need to preserve structure.
Will this break my PDF?
The output is a valid PDF/A-compatible file viewable everywhere.
Free?
Yes — funded by ads.
Is my file uploaded to a Clip PDF server?
No. The browser tools process selected files locally on your device. Normal device and browser security practices still apply.
Why should I open the result again?
PDFs can react differently depending on their content, fonts, and size. A quick check confirms that the generated copy suits its intended purpose.
Is this suitable for very large or confidential files?
It is intended for ordinary one-off browser tasks. Device memory limits very large files; regulated or business-critical work also requires your own compliance controls.
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