PDF and photos

How to compress a PDF / reduce PDF size

A smaller file that nobody can read is not a success. You will check the limit, compress in this tab, then open a real page.

6-minute read

Today's result A PDF under the limit whose photos and type still read at 100%.

Open the compress tool when you know the cap (email 10–25 MB, some forms 2 MB). This page re-encodes pages as JPEG in the tab.

Contents

Write down the real limit
Email is often 10–25 MB. A government form may want 2 MB. Look at the field, not a guess. Note the current file size too.
Match email, form, or upload limits — they are not the same.
Open compress PDF on cv.cm
Drop the PDF. Work stays in this tab. Closing it discards the result.
Open Compress PDF
Run compression
Pages are re-encoded. Text usually survives. Photos take the hit. Wait until the new size appears.
Compare size against a real page
If it is still over the cap, compress again or split. If a photo page is mushy, use milder compression — pick the largest file that still fits.
Pick the largest file that still fits. Then read a real page.
Download the smaller PDF
Keep the original until you have opened the new file.
Open a photo-heavy page at 100%
If digits in a table smear, you overshot. Go back one quality step. A thumbnail can look fine while the full page does not.

FAQ

How do I reduce PDF file size without Adobe?

Re-encode pages in this tab, then open a photo page to check.

Why is my compressed PDF blurry?

Photos were re-encoded too hard. Use milder compression or split the PDF.

Are files uploaded?

No. Closing the tab discards the result.

What size should I aim for?

The field you will upload to. Email is often 10–25 MB. Some forms want 2 MB.

Can I compress without losing text?

Usually yes. Check a table of digits at 100% after export.