How to compress a PDF
- Choose the PDF file you want to make smaller.
- Pick one of four levels – PDFwerk shows you the expected size first. For even smaller files, also choose black & white.
- Click “Compress”, compare the sizes and download the file.
Especially effective for scanned documents and photo-heavy PDFs, which are often too large for email attachments or upload forms. Because you see the expected size of every level up front, you decide the balance between quality and file size.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a PDF shrink?
Scanned documents often shrink by 50 to 90 %. Text-only PDFs shrink less.
Can I still select the text?
No. Pages are re-saved as images. If the text must stay searchable, keep the original file.
Why didn’t my file get smaller?
Text-only PDFs are often already very compact. Try “Extreme” or black & white – or keep the original if the preview shows no saving.