Paperlume, the free PDF compressor that keeps text sharp
Make big PDFs small enough to email or upload. Paperlume shrinks the photos inside your PDF and leaves text, lines and drawings untouched, so nothing turns blurry. It all happens in your browser.
Paperlume Compress PDF
Starting…
Your PDF is smaller
Private by design: your files are handled on this device and never uploaded.
How to use it in three steps
Add your PDF
Drop the file or tap to choose it. Big files are fine.
Pick a level
Recommended suits most files. Strong makes the smallest file.
Download
See the size before and after, then save your smaller PDF.
Why Paperlume is different
Many compressors turn every page into a picture, which makes text blurry and stops you from copying it. Paperlume only shrinks the photos inside your PDF. Text, lines and drawings stay exactly as they were, and your file never leaves your device.
What changes and what stays
| Part | What happens |
|---|---|
| Photos and scans | Made smaller and saved at a lighter quality |
| Text | Not touched, so it stays sharp and you can still select and search it |
| Lines, charts and drawings | Not touched |
| Links, bookmarks and form fields | Kept |
| Hidden extras | Unused data and old preview images are removed |
| Files that cannot get smaller | Your original is kept, and Paperlume tells you so |
Tips for the best result
Photo-heavy PDFs shrink most
Brochures, photo reports and scans can drop by 70 to 95 percent.
Text-only PDFs
A PDF that is mostly text is already small, so it may shrink only a little.
Need an exact size?
Start with Recommended. If the file is still too big for a form, try Strong.
Frequently asked questions
Is this PDF compressor free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit.
Will my text become blurry?
No. Paperlume only makes photos smaller. Text, lines and drawings are not changed, so they stay sharp and searchable.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Paperlume compresses your PDF inside your browser. The file never leaves your device.
How much smaller will my PDF get?
It depends on the photos inside. Photo-heavy PDFs often shrink by 70 to 95 percent. Text-only PDFs shrink much less.
Which level should I choose?
Recommended fits most files and keeps photos clear. Choose Strong for the smallest file, or Light when you plan to print.
Why did my file not get smaller?
Some PDFs are already compressed, or have no big photos. Paperlume then keeps your original file instead of making it worse.
Can I compress a locked PDF?
Not yet. A PDF with a password or editing limits must be unlocked first.
How can we make Compress PDF better?
Something not working the way you hoped? Tell us. We read every note.
More free tools from Digieh
Need help? Read our step by step guide on how to reduce PDF file size for email.
