Privacy-first document tools
Compress PDF online
Reduce image-heavy PDF files for email, uploads, and storage. Compare the result, then delete server files immediately or let them auto-wipe.
Make a heavy PDF easier to send
Compress PDF rebuilds a document with settings intended for screen reading and everyday sharing. It is most effective on scans and image-heavy files; a text-focused or already optimized PDF may shrink only a little. Process one file at a time on the free plan, then compare the result with the original before replacing it.
- Reduce oversized PDFs for email and upload limits
- Optimize image-heavy reports, manuals, and scans
- Manually delete temporary server files or let them auto-wipe after 15 minutes
How to use this tool
Choose one PDF
Select a file up to 20 MB. Keep the original available until you have checked the compressed copy.
Run compression
LeafDeck sends the file to its processing service and returns a new PDF tuned for lighter screen use.
Compare before sharing
Check the new file size, zoom into small text and images, and test important links or forms.
Files that usually benefit from compression
Scanned paperwork
Receipts, signed forms, and copier scans often contain large page images that make the PDF heavier than necessary.
Image-rich reports
Reduce the weight of presentations, property reports, portfolios, or manuals before email and client portals.
Repeated storage
Create a lighter access copy for a shared drive while retaining the full-quality master in your archive.
Compression is a trade-off, not a guaranteed target size
PDF size depends on what is inside the document. Downsampling large images can save substantial space, while fonts, vector drawings, forms, and already compressed images may leave less room for reduction. The tool does not promise a specific percentage or final number of megabytes.
For print production, legal archiving, detailed plans, or any workflow where the original fidelity matters, keep an untouched master. If the document is still too large because it contains many unrelated sections, Split PDF may be a better next step than applying compression repeatedly.
PDF compression questions
Why did my PDF shrink only a little?
The file may already be optimized, may contain mostly text or vector graphics, or may use image formats that are already compressed efficiently.
Will compression make text or images blurry?
Text and vector graphics usually remain sharp, but high-resolution images can lose detail because the output is tuned for screen reading. Always inspect small text, photos, signatures, and diagrams.
Can I compress several PDFs at once for free?
The free workflow processes one PDF at a time. If several files belong in one document, decide whether to merge them before or after compression based on the result you need.
How long does LeafDeck keep a file used for compression?
Compression uses server processing. The result screen lets you request immediate deletion, and temporary input and output files are automatically removed after 15 minutes.
Should I compress or split a large PDF?
Compress when the document belongs together but is too heavy. Split when separate pages or sections should be delivered as separate files.