PDF tips
Get a PDF Under 1 MB: What Actually Works
A website wants a PDF under 1 MB and yours is 8 MB. Here are the steps that actually get a file under the limit, in the order to try them.
· 4 min read
Drop your PDF to open it
Compress PDF file
Make your PDF smaller for email and uploads while keeping it looking good. Free, and your file never leaves your device.
or drop a PDF here
Your file never leaves your device — compressing happens in your browser.
Compression level
We shrink the photos and scans inside your PDF. Text stays sharp and selectable, so PDFs with mostly text may only get a little smaller.
Compressing your PDF…
Your PDF is now smaller!
Before
After
Your PDF is already well compressed
We couldn’t make this file any smaller without losing quality, so you can keep your original.
How to compress a PDF
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1
Add your PDF
Click “Select PDF file” or drag and drop a PDF onto this page.
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2
Pick a compression level
Choose light, recommended or strong compression, depending on how small the file needs to be.
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3
Compress and download
Click “Compress PDF”, see how much smaller it got, then download your new file.
Need more than a tool?
Let a PDF expert do it for you.
Fix text and fonts, rebuild forms, add bookmarks, redact private data — our experts handle the jobs a tool can’t.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Contact us
Is Compress PDF free?
Yes. Compressing PDFs on PDFixed is completely free, with no sign-up and no watermarks.
Are my files safe?
Your PDF is compressed right here in your browser. It is never uploaded to our servers, so nobody else can see it.
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on what is inside. PDFs with photos or scanned pages often shrink by half or more. PDFs that are mostly text are usually small already, so they only get a little smaller.
Will compressing make my PDF blurry?
Text and drawings stay perfectly sharp. Only photos and scans are reduced. Pick “Light compression” if image quality matters most.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
Not yet. Remove the password first, or send the file to one of our experts and we’ll handle it for you.
Guides and tips
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PDF tips
Why Is My PDF So Big? What's Inside a Heavy File
Some PDFs are tiny and some are enormous, even with the same number of pages. Here is what is inside a heavy file, and how to find the cause in yours.
· 5 min read
PDF tips
PDF Too Big to Email? 5 Ways to Make It Smaller
Email bounced because of the attachment size? Here are five simple fixes, from one-click compression to sharing a link, and how to pick the right one.
· 4 min read