answer →
How do I compress a PDF?
Updated July 2026
Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. In Arthize you open the compress tool, then add your pdf, then pick a compression level, then download the smaller file, and download the result — free, with no watermark.
Answer
Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. In Arthize you open the compress tool, then add your pdf, then pick a compression level, then download the smaller file, and download the result — free, with no watermark.
More about compress pdf
PDF file size almost always comes from embedded images, not text.
Down-sampling scans to a lower DPI usually gets an image-heavy file under 1MB.
Light compression is visually lossless for most documents.
How to compress a PDF
- 1
Open the compress tool
Sign in and open the Compress tool.
- 2
Add your PDF
Upload the oversized file; it is processed privately.
- 3
Pick a compression level
Higher compression down-samples images more; light compression keeps them crisp.
- 4
Download the smaller file
Most image-heavy PDFs drop well under 1MB with no visible quality loss.
Common questions
- How do I compress a PDF to under 1MB?
- Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.
- Will compressing a PDF lose quality?
- Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.
- How do I reduce PDF file size for email?
- Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.
Related
Everything is in one window.
Arthize bundles 50+ PDF tools in one private workspace. Start free — no watermark, no credit card.
Open Arthize free