Compress a PDF to a smaller file size
Reduce a heavy PDF so it fits an upload limit or an email attachment. Choose a compression level and check the new size before you download.
- You see the trade-off
- Images do the heavy lifting
- Text stays sharp
Files stay in your browser. Use documents you own or are authorized to modify.
Try it free in the editor. Downloading with Compress PDF is Pro: $7.99 for this document, $9.99 for a week, or $12.99 a month.
All tools
Start with the right tool
Every workflow runs in the same workspace, so a document can move from one step to the next without leaving your account.
Change Text
Edit PDF text in place. Keep the size and layout.
Add Text
Add a text box anywhere on a page. Set font, size, color.
Add Image
Place a logo or photo on a page. Resize and position it.
Annotate
Highlight, comment, and mark up a PDF. Reply in threads.
Crop PDF
Trim margins or crop to a region. Apply to one page or all.
Rotate Pages
Turn sideways pages upright. Rotate one page or all of them.
Add Page Numbers
Number every page. Choose position, format, and start value.
Add Watermark
Stamp text or a logo across pages. Set opacity and angle.
Fill PDF Form
Type into any form. Boxes are found and sized for you.
Merge PDF
Combine files into one PDF. Set the order before you export.
Split PDF
Split one PDF into several files. Cut by range or interval.
Rearrange Pages
Drag pages into a new order. Move one page or a block.
Extract Pages
Pull chosen pages into a new PDF. Keep the original whole.
Delete Pages
Remove pages you do not need. Review before you export.
Compress PDF
Shrink a large PDF. Pick a level and compare the sizes.
PDF to JPG
Save PDF pages as JPG images. Pick pages and resolution.
JPG to PDF
Turn photos into one PDF. Set order, page size, margins.
Scan to PDF
Photograph paper with your phone. Get a clean, straight PDF.
OCR PDF
Make a scan searchable. Then click its text to edit it.
Sign PDF
Sign a PDF yourself. Draw, type, or upload a signature.
Protect PDF
Add a password to a PDF. Set what readers are allowed to do.
Unlock PDF
Remove a password you know. Save a copy that opens freely.
Redact PDF
Remove text or images for good, not just cover them.
How it works
How to compress pdf
Upload the large PDF
The current file size is shown next to the document.
Pick a compression level
Lighter settings keep more image detail. Stronger settings take more off the size.
Compare and download
The new size appears beside the original. Download it, or try another level if the pages look soft.
Why Make Creati
Built to keep document work clear
One workspace for the file, the change, and the finished result — with the next step always visible.
Service agreement
Page 1 of 3 · editing textYou see the trade-off
The result reports both sizes and lets you preview pages, so you can weigh quality against the reduction yourself.
Images do the heavy lifting
Most of the bulk in a PDF comes from scanned images. Resampling those is what brings a file under a limit.
Text stays sharp
Text and vector graphics are not resampled during compression, so they stay crisp even at the stronger settings.
What you can expect
Clear commitments, not claims
Your files stay yours
Documents are scoped to your account and tied to the project that created them. You choose when a file is shared or removed.
Costs shown before you pay
Self-serve work and quoted work are separated clearly. You see what a request costs before anything is charged.
Honest about limits
We say what a tool does and does not do. Make Creati is for documents you own or are authorized to modify.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on what is inside. Scanned or photo-heavy files often shrink a great deal, while a text-only PDF is already small and may barely move.
Will compressing reduce quality?
Images are resampled, so heavy settings can soften photos and scans. Text and vector graphics are unaffected.
Can I compress a file more than once?
You can, but repeated passes over the same images cost quality for little further gain. Try one stronger setting instead.
Why is my scanned PDF so large?
Each page is a full-resolution photograph of paper. A color scan at 600 dpi can run to several megabytes per page.
Is the original file changed?
No. Compression writes a new PDF, and your upload stays at its original size.
What if it is still too large?
Split PDF can divide the document into smaller files, or remove pages you do not need and compress what is left.
Ready to work on your document?
Create a workspace to keep your documents, orders, and finished files in one place.