Compress a scanned PDF without making the important text unreadable

Large scanned PDFs often contain more image pixels than the recipient needs. Reducing those pixels can save space, but smaller files are not automatically usable documents. Treat compression as a quality decision with a preserved original.

Check whether this workflow fits

This tool creates a new image-only PDF. It does not preserve searchable text, bookmarks or document metadata. Do not use it when accessibility, text extraction, certificate signatures or editable forms matter. Interactive and tagged documents are rejected. A mostly vector or text PDF may become larger instead of smaller.

Start with balanced settings

Try 120 dpi and 72% JPEG quality for an ordinary scan. Use 150 dpi and higher quality for smaller print or detailed diagrams. Lower settings may help a large, clearly printed document, but can make numbers, punctuation and handwriting ambiguous. The tool does not promise a fixed size threshold.

Compare the actual pages

Read the reported original and output byte sizes. Use Comparison page and Compare this page to review the first, last and any unusually dense page. The previews use the same display size so differences are easier to see. If the output is not smaller, retain the original for size or try a lower setting only if it remains readable.

Verify the download, not just the preview

Open the downloaded PDF in another reader. Check page count, orientation, the smallest text, stamps and numerical amounts. Check the receiving portal’s actual size limit separately. Do not mistake an image-only copy for secure redaction: anything visibly present is still in the result. Keep the original and label the compressed copy clearly.