Compress PDF online — shrink files without the hassle
Large PDFs are hard to email, upload, or share. Pdfello compresses PDFs in your browser workflow — pick a quality level or a target size such as 1 MB when you need a specific limit.
Guest files are deleted after 30 minutes. Create a free account to keep outputs in My Files for a day, or Pro for 30 days.
How to use this tool
- Upload your PDF (drag and drop or choose a file).
- Pick compression quality, or set a target size like 1 MB.
- Run Compress, then download the smaller PDF.
FAQ
- Will compressing reduce quality?
- It depends on the setting. Stronger compression re-encodes images more aggressively. Text-heavy PDFs often shrink with little visible change; photo-heavy scans trade quality for size.
- Can I compress a PDF to 1 MB?
- Yes — choose a target size when available. Very image-heavy documents may not always reach tiny targets while staying readable; try a slightly higher target if needed.
- Is Compress PDF free?
- Yes for normal guest use within plan limits. Guests do not need an account; retention is shorter than signed-in plans.
Limitations
- Password-protected PDFs usually need unlocking first (if you are authorized).
- Very large files may take longer or hit plan size limits.
- Output quality depends on the source file — scans and complex layouts vary.