How to Compress a PDF
PDF files get large when they contain high-resolution images, embedded fonts, or many pages. Compressing a PDF reduces its file size so it is easier to email, upload, or store. fixtdoc compresses PDFs for free in your browser without uploading anything.
Steps
- Open the Compress PDF tool. Go to fixtdoc Compress PDF.
- Upload your PDF. Drag and drop the file or click to browse. The tool displays the original file size.
- Choose a compression level. Light keeps quality nearly identical. Medium gives a good balance of size and quality. Strong prioritizes the smallest file size.
- Download the result. Processing happens locally. The compressed file downloads when ready, and the tool shows you how much space you saved.
Why PDFs Get Large
- High-resolution photos and scanned pages embed large image data.
- Embedded fonts add weight, especially when multiple font families are used.
- Redundant metadata and unused objects accumulate across edits.
Tips
- For email attachments, medium compression usually keeps the file under 5 MB while preserving readability.
- Text-heavy PDFs compress very well. Image-heavy PDFs show the most size reduction but may lose some visual detail at strong compression.
- Free accounts support files up to 10 MB. Pro supports up to 100 MB.
Common Questions
Does compression reduce quality?
Light compression has virtually no visible quality loss. Strong compression may slightly reduce image sharpness, but text remains crisp.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The entire compression process runs in your browser. Your file never leaves your device.
How much smaller will my PDF be?
Results vary. Image-heavy PDFs often shrink by 50-80%. Text-only documents may see a 10-30% reduction.