Compress Scanned PDFs
Shrink bulky scans by 80-90%, keep text readable.
Last updated: August 1, 2026
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Drag & drop your file here, or click to browse. We process files locally for maximum privacy.
About This Tool
Scanned PDFs are the heaviest documents in existence - every page is a full-resolution photo, so a ten-page scan easily tops 50MB. Email systems bounce them, portals reject them, and phones choke opening them. This tool compresses scanned PDFs by downsampling page images while keeping text legible, entirely in your browser. The High level exists precisely for scans like these.
How It Works
Three simple steps to get your optimized PDF.
Upload Your PDF
Drag and drop or browse to select your PDF file. Files are processed locally and never leave your device.
Choose Compression Level
Pick Low, Medium, or High compression. Higher levels produce smaller files while keeping text and layout readable.
Download the Result
Save your compressed PDF. It is ready to upload, email, or share — no accounts, no fees.
Why Use This Tool
Built for Scans
Downsamples page images aggressively but legibly.
80-90% Smaller
Scans shrink more than any other PDF type.
Readable Text
Print stays legible at High compression.
No Page Limits
Hundred-page scans compress fine.
Private
Sensitive scans never leave your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are scanned PDFs so much larger than normal ones?
A normal PDF stores text as efficient vector data; a scan stores every page as a full-resolution photograph. Ten scanned pages can outweigh a thousand-page ebook.
Will compression make my scan unreadable?
At the right level, no. Start with Medium and zoom into small print - drop to High only if the size target demands it, and verify signatures and stamps remain clear.
Should I OCR a scan before or after compressing?
OCR first if you need searchable text, then compress. Heavy compression can degrade OCR accuracy, so capture the text layer while the scan is still pristine.
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