FilePDQ

How to make a PDF smaller for email

Updated 3 min read

Quick answer

Open Compress PDF, add the file, choose Strongest for email and download the smaller copy. Most of a PDF’s size is usually photos or scans, and those are what get shrunk. Text stays sharp.

Compress PDFFree, no sign-up, and your files never leave your device.

Open the tool

Step by step

  1. Open Compress PDF and add the file.
  2. Choose Strongest for email, Balanced for most uses, or Light if it will be printed.
  3. Select Compress PDF. The size before and after is shown.
  4. Download the smaller copy and open it to check the pictures still look good enough.

Tips

  • Many email services limit attachments to 20 or 25 MB in total, including every file attached.
  • PDFs of scans and photos shrink the most. A text-only PDF is usually small already.
  • Still too big? Split it into two files with Split PDF and send them separately.

If something goes wrong

It says the file is already about as small as it can get.

The file is mostly text, fonts or drawings, which can’t be shrunk without damaging them. Try splitting it instead.

The photos look blurry.

Use Balanced or Light. Strongest trades picture detail for the smallest size.