Compress PDF
Reduce file size — or compress to an exact target size.
Secure cloud processing
Shrink a PDF on your phone or computer to fit an email attachment, WhatsApp or an upload form. Choose a compression level, or type a target size in KB, such as 2000 for about 2MB, and the tool gets as close as it can.
How to compress a PDF and reduce its size
- 1Select one or more PDFs.
- 2Choose a level — extreme, recommended or light — or enter a target size in KB.
- 3Press the compress button.
- 4Download the smaller file and see how much you saved.
Why Sahl PDF?
- Three levels from smallest file to best quality
- Target size option for upload limits on forms and portals
- Compress multiple PDFs in one go
- Encrypted upload, deleted right after processing
Frequently asked questions
How do I compress a PDF to a specific size?
Enter the size you need in KB in the target size field and press compress. The tool aims for that size or the closest it can reach.
Does compressing a PDF reduce quality?
Compression works mainly on the images inside the file, so text stays sharp. Light keeps the best quality; extreme gives the smallest file with lower image quality.
Is it safe to compress PDFs online?
Yes. Your file is uploaded encrypted, processed and deleted right away — we keep no copy.
Can I compress a PDF on my phone?
Yes. Pick the file from your phone and compress it right in the browser, no app needed.
How do I compress a PDF to under 1MB for an upload form?
Type 1000 in the target size field, since sizes are in KB, then press compress. The tool aims for that size or the closest it can reach, and image-heavy files shrink the most.
Why is my compressed PDF not much smaller?
Compression works mainly on the images inside a PDF. Files that are mostly text, or already compressed, have little left to shrink.