Compress PDF

PDF files grow quickly — scanned documents, high-resolution images, and multi-page reports easily exceed 10 MB. In the US, file size limits appear across federal and state government portals, courts, and universities: the IRS for tax filing portals and correspondence limits document attachments to 5–10 MB, USCIS immigration portals impose strict file size caps on applications and supporting evidence, PACER (federal court e-filing) limits PDF attachments to 50 pages or specific MB thresholds, and university application platforms like CommonApp and FAFSA have their own limits. Email: Gmail and Outlook allow up to 25 MB, but many corporate and government mail systems enforce lower caps.

A PDF that is too large results in a rejected upload, a failed filing, or a bounced email. Compressing before sending resolves all of these problems instantly.

1. Select your file: Drag your PDF into the upload area or click "Choose Files".
2. Choose a compression level: Pick Low, Medium, or High depending on your use case.
3. Compress: Click "Compress PDF". Processing happens instantly and entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded anywhere.
4. Check the result: You'll see the original size, compressed size, and percentage saved side by side.
5. Download: Click Download — your compressed PDF is ready to go.

For multiple files, add them all at once and download as a ZIP archive in a single click.

Low (best quality): Best for documents where image or print quality matters — architectural drawings, portfolios, high-res scans. Files reduce by 30–50% with almost no visible difference.

Medium (recommended): The right choice for most everyday documents — tax forms, employment contracts, lease agreements, resumes. Files reduce by 50–70% while remaining clearly readable.

High (maximum compression): Use when file size is the priority — meeting a strict IRS, USCIS, or PACER upload limit. Files reduce by 70–85%. Text stays sharp; images lose some fine detail.

Most online PDF compressors — including ilovepdf.com and Smallpdf — upload your file to their servers for processing. That means your tax returns, pay stubs, Social Security documents, and immigration paperwork pass through a third-party server you don't control.

Our tool works entirely differently. All compression runs in your browser via JavaScript — no file is ever transmitted anywhere. For documents submitted to federal agencies — IRS, USCIS, SSA — where data sensitivity is paramount, processing everything client-side is the only appropriate approach. While federal privacy law in the US varies by sector, our tool collects and transmits zero data, making it the most private PDF compressor available.

• IRS and tax filing: Compress W-2s, 1099s, receipts, and supporting documentation to meet IRS and state tax portal upload limits.
• USCIS and immigration: Reduce passport scans, financial affidavits, and supporting evidence to meet the strict file size caps on immigration applications.
• PACER and federal court filings: Compress legal briefs, exhibits, and court orders for e-filing within PACER's document size limits.
• University applications: CommonApp essays, transcripts, and financial aid documents (FAFSA) compressed for online submission portals.
• Real estate and legal: Compress mortgage documents, lease agreements, and title deeds for attorneys, lenders, or county recorders.