How to compress a pdf with embedded images to a smaller size
- Step 1Upload the PDF with images — Drop the document into the PDF compressor.
- Step 2Select lossy compression mode — Choose the image quality level — medium (80%) is recommended for web use.
- Step 3Compress the PDF — Image data is re-encoded at the selected quality level.
- Step 4Download the smaller PDF — Review the output and adjust quality if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What quality setting should I use?+
80% quality gives a good balance of size and visual fidelity for screen display. Use 60% for maximum size reduction; 90% for near-lossless results.
Will lossy compression affect text quality in the PDF?+
Text is rendered as vectors in PDFs and is not affected by lossy image compression — only embedded images are re-encoded.
Can I undo lossy compression?+
No — lossy compression permanently reduces the image data. Always retain the original high-resolution PDF before compressing.
Privacy first
All PDF processing runs locally in your browser using PDF-lib and pdf.js. No file is ever uploaded — only metadata counters are saved for signed-in dashboard stats.