Compress a PDF That's Too Large
Drop your PDF and choose a compression level: you see the file size before and after, and get a lighter file, ready to send.
- Free
- 3 compression levels
- Savings shown in %
- 100% private
100% private — Everything is processed directly in your browser: your files, voice, and image are never sent to Chatzam's servers.
How to reduce a PDF's file size?
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Add the PDF
Drag the oversized file into the area, or select it from your device.
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Choose the level
“Recommended” in most cases, “Light” to keep the best quality, “Strong” for the smallest file.
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Download the smaller PDF
Compare the file size before and after, with the savings in %, then download the new file.
A lighter PDF, with no bad surprises
Text preserved
At the “Light” and “Recommended” levels, it's the images in the PDF that get recompressed: the text stays sharp and selectable.
Smallest size when you need it
The “Strong” level turns each page into a lightweight image, to get under a strict size limit.
Clear results
Size before and after, savings in %: you see the effect of compression right away. If the PDF is already optimized, the tool tells you instead of giving you a bigger file.
Confidential
The document is processed in your browser: statements, contracts, and supporting documents are never uploaded.
PDF too large for an email or an online form?
A scanned document often weighs several MB per page. The result: the email won't send, or the website of a government agency, your bank, or a rental agency rejects the attachment because it's over the size limit. Compressing the PDF mainly shrinks the images it contains, which is often enough to get under the limit, without changing the order or the number of pages.
Which compression level should you choose?
“Recommended” works in most cases: images are recompressed and the text stays selectable. “Light” keeps better quality, for example for a document you plan to print. “Strong” turns every page into a lightweight image: it gives the smallest size, ideal for a scan that has to fit under a strict limit, but the text can no longer be selected, copied, or searched.
Why do some PDFs barely shrink?
The savings depend on what the PDF contains. Scanned PDFs and PDFs with photos get much smaller. A text-only PDF, such as a contract or an invoice created by software, is already lightweight: the savings are small, and that's normal. If your file is already optimized, the tool tells you rather than producing a larger PDF. To combine several documents into a single file, use “Merge PDF”; to scan a sheet of paper with your phone, “Document Scanner”.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reduce a PDF's size to send it by email?
Add it and choose “Recommended”: that's often enough. If the file is still over the limit, try “Strong”, which gives the smallest size. You can also send only the pages you need with “Split PDF”.
Why is my PDF barely compressed?
That's normal for a PDF made mostly of text: it's already lightweight and there's little to gain. Compression works best on scanned PDFs and photo-heavy documents. If the file is already optimized, the tool tells you.
Is the text still selectable after compression?
Yes with “Light” and “Recommended”. With “Strong”, each page becomes an image: the text can no longer be selected, copied, or searched. For a scanned document, that usually makes no difference.
Can I compress a password-protected PDF?
No, password-protected PDFs aren't supported. Open the file with your password, save an unprotected copy, then add that copy here.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Compression happens entirely in your browser: the document never leaves your device. It's free, with no account and no watermark.