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Compress PDF

Reduces file size while maintaining configurable quality.

Reviewed practical guide

How to compress a PDF without choosing quality blindly

Understand what can be reduced, why some PDFs barely change and what to inspect when a smaller file is the priority.

Compress PDF applies an optimisation profile based on the selected quality. It can downsample images, reuse duplicate resources and optimise fonts. If that pass does not produce a smaller file, the processor may rasterise pages to seek a further reduction.

Results depend on the source. Scans and photo-heavy PDFs usually offer more room than an already optimised file or a document made mostly of text and vector graphics. The quality number is a relative control, not a guaranteed output size.

What result to expect

You will receive “pdf-comprimido.pdf”; compare its size and contents with the source before replacing anything.

When this is useful

  • Meet an email attachment or application-form size limit.
  • Prepare a lighter reference copy for phones or slow connections.
  • Optimise an image-heavy PDF before publishing it on a website.

Checks before sharing

  • Compare representative pages: the cover, small type, a photograph and any fine-line diagram.
  • If selectable text matters, verify it remains selectable after compression.
  • Retain the source until both file size and legibility have been checked throughout the result.

Limitations to understand

  • Strong compression may turn pages into images, affecting search, accessibility, links and selectable text.
  • Rewriting a PDF invalidates digital signatures and may flatten advanced features.
  • A well-optimised source may shrink very little unless a more aggressive visual conversion is used.

Frequently asked questions

Which quality should I choose?

Start around the default and inspect the output. Keep more quality for printing or small text; a lower setting may be suitable for screen-only reference copies.

Why did my PDF barely get smaller?

It may contain mostly text or vectors, already-compressed images, or resources with little room left. No compressor can promise a fixed percentage.

Does compression preserve digital signatures?

Do not assume it does. A signature protects a specific file revision, and rewriting that file can invalidate the signature.

Editorial review: MyWorkingArea team

Checked against the options and output of the current tool.

Content reviewed on 29 July 2026.

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