How to Compress a PDF
Three steps. No complicated settings.
Upload Your PDF
Drop your PDF into the upload area or click to browse and select a file from your device.
Compress Your File
Start the compression process and let PDF Bridge optimize your document for a smaller file size.
Download Your PDF
Download the compressed PDF and use it for email, online submissions, sharing, or storage.
A PDF Compressor That Keeps Things Simple
Make large PDF files easier to handle without a complicated workflow.
Smaller File Sizes
Reduce the size of large PDF documents so they are easier to store, share, and upload.
Quick Processing
Compress your document in a simple browser-based workflow without unnecessary steps.
Private by Default
Your uploaded document is processed to provide the requested service and automatically deleted according to PDF Bridge's file-retention policy.
Works in Your Browser
No desktop software is required. Compress PDFs from your computer, tablet, or phone.
Easy to Share
A smaller PDF can be more convenient when you need to send it through email or a messaging platform.
Ready for Uploads
Reduce PDF file size when a website, application, or online service has a file-size limit.
Why Compress PDF Files?
Common reasons people reduce PDF file sizes with PDF Bridge.
Email Attachments
Make large PDF documents smaller when an email service has an attachment-size limit.
Online Applications
Reduce the size of supporting documents before uploading them to application or registration portals.
Document Sharing
Create a smaller PDF that is easier to send through messaging apps, cloud storage, or other sharing platforms.
Storage
Reduce the amount of storage required when keeping large collections of PDF documents.
Compress PDF Files Online Without Installing Software
Large PDF files can be difficult to email, upload, or share. PDF Bridge lets you compress PDF files online directly from your browser, so you can reduce the size of a document without installing dedicated PDF software.
Simply upload your PDF, start the compression process, and download the resulting file.
If you are preparing documents for an online application, client delivery, email attachment, or cloud storage, reducing the PDF file size can make the document easier to handle.
Reduce PDF File Size for Sharing and Uploads
A PDF may become large because it contains high-resolution images, scanned pages, graphics, or other content that increases the overall file size.
When a website or email service limits the size of an attachment, a PDF compressor can help you create a smaller version that is easier to upload or share.
For example, you might need to:
- reduce a PDF for an online application
- make a scanned document smaller
- compress a PDF before emailing it
- reduce the size of a client document
- create a smaller PDF for cloud storage
If you need to combine several documents first, you can merge PDF files and then compress the resulting document.
If you need to make changes to the document itself, you can edit your PDF before downloading or sharing it.
Compress PDF Questions
Is it free to compress PDF files?
Yes. PDF Bridge provides PDF compression on its Free plan within the applicable usage limits.
How do I reduce the size of a PDF?
Upload your PDF to PDF Bridge, start the compression process, and download the resulting smaller PDF when processing is complete.
Can I compress a PDF without installing software?
Yes. PDF Bridge works through your browser, so you can compress a PDF without installing a separate desktop application.
Can I compress a PDF for email?
Yes. Compressing a large PDF can make it easier to send as an email attachment when the original file is too large for the email service's attachment limit.
Can I compress a PDF before uploading it to a website?
Yes. Reducing the PDF file size can help when an online application or website has a maximum upload-size requirement.
Will compressing a PDF reduce its quality?
Compression can involve trade-offs between file size and document quality. The amount of reduction depends on the contents and compression process used. For important documents, always check the compressed PDF before submitting or sharing it.
Can I compress a large scanned PDF?
Yes. Scanned PDFs can often contain large image data, making them good candidates for compression. Upload the scanned PDF to check the resulting file size.
Can I merge and compress PDF files?
Yes. A useful workflow is to first merge your PDF files into one document and then compress the resulting PDF if it is too large.