Compress a scanned PDFfree & private
Scanned documents are the biggest PDFs of all — every page is a full-resolution image. Because of that, they're also where compression helps most, often shrinking a file by 90% or more without making the text hard to read.
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100% private — files never leave your device
Why scanned PDFs shrink so much
A scanner saves each page as a high-DPI photo, so a few pages can run to tens of megabytes. The tool re-samples those page images to a sensible screen resolution and re-encodes them, which is where the huge savings come from. Start with Balanced for everyday sharing; if a page has small print, try High quality, or use Target size to hit an exact upload limit.
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Frequently asked questions
How much can a scanned PDF be compressed?+
Usually 70–95%. Because scanned pages are images, downsampling them removes far more weight than compressing a text PDF ever could.
Will the text still be readable after compressing?+
Yes, at sensible settings. Balanced (72 DPI) stays clear on screen; use High quality if the document has very small print you need to keep crisp.
Does this run OCR or make the scan searchable?+
No. It reduces file size only; it doesn't add a text layer. Compress first, then run OCR separately if you need searchable text.
Are my scans uploaded to a server?+
No. Everything happens in your browser, so sensitive scans like IDs and contracts never leave your device.
Is it free with no limits?+
Yes — no sign-up, no watermark, and no cap on how many scans you compress.