Compress PDF Online

Compress PDF files for free on Novaxera, with no signup and no watermark. Large images are downscaled to 1200 px and the file is rebuilt, while text and vector graphics stay sharp, selectable and searchable.

Select a PDF to compress

PDF · up to 50 MB · drag & drop or browse

Compressing...

This usually takes a few seconds.

Free · No signup · No watermark · Files deleted automatically within 60 minutes

Compress PDF at a glance

The key facts about Novaxera's Compress PDF tool.

Input
One PDF file, up to 50 MB
Output
A compressed PDF
Image handling
Images over 1200 px downscaled; JPEGs re-encoded at quality 72
Text and vectors
Kept as-is, never rasterized
Options
One automatic compression level
Price
Free — no signup, no watermark
Max file size
50 MB per file
File deletion
Upload deleted right after processing; result deleted within 60 minutes
Works on
Any modern browser — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone

How to compress a PDF online

  1. Upload your PDF

    Choose one PDF file or drag it onto the upload box.

  2. Let Novaxera compress it

    The PDF compressor runs automatically with a single compression level, so there is nothing to configure.

  3. Check the result

    The page shows the exact saving, for example “Reduced by X% (old size → new size)”.

  4. Download

    Click Download to save the smaller PDF. The result is deleted automatically within 60 minutes.

How Novaxera's Compress PDF works

Novaxera's PDF compressor works mainly on images, because photos and scans make up most of a heavy PDF. Every embedded image larger than 1200 px on its longest side is downscaled to fit within 1200×1200 px. Images are then re-encoded in their original format, with JPEG images saved at quality 72. Text and vector graphics are never turned into pictures, so headings, body text and line drawings stay sharp, selectable and searchable after compression.

After the images are handled, Novaxera rebuilds the whole file. Unused and duplicate objects are removed through garbage collection, content streams, fonts and images are deflate-compressed, and the file structure is cleaned. The page then reports the exact outcome as “Reduced by X% (old size → new size)”. Savings depend on the file: scanned PDFs and photo-heavy PDFs shrink the most, while text-only or already-optimized PDFs shrink little.

Why use Novaxera's Compress PDF

Text stays searchable

Text is not rasterized, so you can still select, copy and search it in the compressed PDF.

Clear size report

You see the exact percentage and the old and new file sizes before you download.

Targets the heavy parts

Images over 1200 px are downscaled, which is where most of the weight in scanned and photo-heavy PDFs sits.

Structural cleanup

Duplicate and unused objects are removed and streams are deflate-compressed, so even the file structure gets lighter.

No watermark, no account

The compressed file is yours to use as-is, with nothing stamped on the pages.

Common use cases

Email attachments

Shrink a PDF to get under the 25 MB attachment limit of Gmail and Outlook.com, or the 20 MB limit of iCloud Mail.

Job and university portals

Reduce PDF size for upload forms that reject large CVs, transcripts or portfolios.

Scanned paperwork

Make multi-page scans of contracts, receipts or IDs easier to store and share.

Photo-heavy reports

Lighten brochures, catalogs and reports full of high-resolution photos.

Limitations to know

  • There is only one automatic compression level, so you cannot pick a stronger or lighter setting.
  • Text-only or already-optimized PDFs usually shrink very little because there are few large images to reduce.
  • Password-protected PDFs must be opened first with Unlock PDF before they can be compressed.
  • Downscaling to 1200 px can soften very detailed images, such as fine maps or high-resolution artwork meant for print.

Tips for better results

  • If you built the PDF from phone photos with Images to PDF, compress the result afterwards to bring the size down.
  • To send only part of a large document, split the PDF into pages first and share just the pages you need.
  • Compress each file before you combine PDF files if the merged document must stay under an upload limit.
  • Keep your original PDF when the document will be printed, since the compressed copy uses smaller images.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compress a PDF for email?

Upload the PDF to Novaxera's Compress PDF tool, wait for the automatic compression, then download the smaller file. Gmail and Outlook.com accept emails up to 25 MB, and iCloud Mail up to 20 MB (see the file size limits table). The page shows the exact reduction, so you can confirm the file fits before attaching it. Photo-heavy and scanned PDFs usually shrink the most.

Will compressing a PDF make the text blurry?

No. Novaxera's PDF compressor does not rasterize text or vector graphics, so they stay sharp, selectable and searchable. Only embedded images are changed: images larger than 1200 px on their longest side are downscaled, and JPEG images are re-encoded at quality 72.

Why did my PDF barely get smaller?

A PDF shrinks little when it contains mostly text or has already been optimized. Novaxera's PDF compressor saves the most space by downscaling and re-encoding large images, so a text-only document has little to reduce. Scanned PDFs and PDFs with many photos usually show the biggest reduction.

Can I choose a compression level?

No. Novaxera's Compress PDF tool uses one automatic compression level with no options to set. It downscales images over 1200 px, re-encodes JPEGs at quality 72 and cleans the file structure. This keeps the process simple and keeps text quality untouched.

Is it safe to compress PDFs online with Novaxera?

Yes. Your PDF is uploaded over an encrypted HTTPS connection and compressed on Novaxera's servers. The original upload is deleted as soon as compression finishes, and the compressed file is deleted automatically within 60 minutes. Files are not shared or used for anything else. Details are in the privacy policy.

Is Novaxera's PDF compressor free, and what is the size limit?

Yes, compressing PDFs on Novaxera is free, with no account and no watermark on the result. Each PDF can be up to 50 MB, and the tool compresses one PDF at a time. The site is supported by ads.

Can I compress a password-protected PDF?

Not directly. Novaxera's PDF compressor needs an unprotected file, so remove the password first with Unlock PDF, using the password you already know. You can then compress the unlocked copy and, if needed, add a password again with Protect PDF.

Can I compress a PDF on my iPhone or Android phone?

Yes. Novaxera's Compress PDF tool works in any modern mobile browser on iPhone, iPad and Android, as well as on Windows, macOS and Linux. Pick the PDF from your Files app or downloads, then save the compressed file when the Download button appears. Nothing needs to be installed.

Related guides

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Merge PDF

Combine two or more PDFs into one document

Split PDF

Turn every page of a PDF into a separate file

Unlock PDF

Remove a known password from a PDF you are allowed to open

Images to PDF

Combine JPG, PNG and other images into one PDF

Compress Image

Reduce JPG, PNG and WebP file size without changing dimensions

PDF to Word

Turn PDFs into editable Word DOCX documents

Last updated · Maintained by Ghaith Alali · Facts on this page describe how Novaxera's Compress PDF tool currently works. · Privacy policy