Make a PDF smaller so it fits email attachment limits and upload forms. Choose how much to compress, from keeping every image as it is to the smallest possible file, and see the new file size before you download. There's nothing to install.
How to compress a PDF
- Click Choose PDFs or drag a PDF into the upload box. The basic allowance permits compressing two PDFs at a time.
- Under How small?, pick Original quality, Balanced or Smallest file.
- Click Compress PDFs.
- Check the preview and the new file size shown next to it.
- Click Download PDF. If you compressed two files, they download together in one ZIP. You'll need a PearSign account to download. New accounts must verify their email before signing in.
When to use it
- A PDF is too large to attach to an email
- A job application, school portal or government form rejects your upload as too big
- Shrinking scanned documents, which are often much larger than they need to be
- Saving storage space before you archive a batch of PDFs
Good to know
- The three levels: Original quality restructures the file without touching images. Balanced recompresses images for a smaller file with good image quality. Smallest file lowers image quality further for the biggest size reduction.
- Some PDFs can't get much smaller. Files that are mostly text, or that were already optimized, may barely change. If that happens PearSign keeps the original size and tells you.
- File limits: up to 40 MB per PDF. The basic allowance permits compressing up to 2 PDFs per job (100 MB total, 200 pages). Paid PearSign plans compress more files at once.
- Password-protected PDFs aren't supported. Upload an unlocked copy.
- Privacy: your PDF is sent to PearSign's servers for compression. The result is available for one hour, and you can delete it sooner.
- Account: compressing and previewing are free. Downloading needs a PearSign account (5 jobs per hour with the basic allowance).
- New accounts: signup directs you to a card-required 7-day Starter trial checkout. See pricing and trial terms. The one-hour result window continues during checkout and email verification; if it expires, upload your file again.
FAQ
How do I reduce the size of a PDF?
Upload it, choose Balanced or Smallest file, and click Compress PDFs. PearSign shows the new size so you can decide whether it's small enough before you download.
Will compressing a PDF lower the quality?
Original quality doesn't change images. Balanced and Smallest file recompress images, so photos and scans may look slightly softer. Text stays sharp because it isn't an image.
Why didn't my PDF get smaller?
Some PDFs are already as small as they can be, especially text-only files. Try Smallest file if you used another setting. If the file still doesn't shrink, PearSign keeps the original size.
What is the maximum file size?
Each PDF can be up to 40 MB. The basic allowance permits compressing two PDFs at a time.
Sending it out for signature? A smaller file is easier for signers to open. Send your PDF for e-signature with PearSign.