What stays local
Your selected PDF is handled in this browser session. BQ PDF Tools does not add your document to the offline cache or upload it to an application server.
Optimize PDF tool
Compress PDF
Reduce PDF size with an honest choice between preserving document structure and compressing scanned pages more aggressively.
Choose PDF
Processing happens locally in this browser. Keep this tab open until the result is ready.
Drop a PDF file hereor select a file from this device · adaptive limit based on this device
Settings restored for this tabNon-text options from the previous page load were restored. Files and filenames were not saved.
Document analysis
Checking this PDF…
Choose carefully: scan modes turn every page into an image. Selectable text, links, forms, and accessibility structure may be lost.
Scan quality settings
Often useful for black-and-white scans.
When the new file is not smaller, retain the original bytes instead.
Balanced scan compression144 DPI · 72% JPEG quality · color pages
Choose a file to begin.
Processing did not finish
Diagnostics include the tool, browser, file count, total size, and visible error—but never filenames or document contents.Your selected files and settings are still available.
Visual check
Before and after
Trust and output notes
Use this quick checklist before replacing an important PDF.
What this tool preserves
- The tool explains when output becomes image-based.
- File-size results are compared before download.
- The original remains available if the new file is larger.
What to check
Compression results depend on the source PDF. Image-based modes can remove selectable text, links, forms, and accessibility information.
Practical examples
Example 1
Make a scanned PDF small enough for an upload form.
Example 2
Check colour usage before sending to a print shop.
Example 3
Reduce white margins before compressing a scan.
How to compress pdf
Step 1
Choose a PDF and review the browser-only document analysis.
Step 2
Use the recommended mode or choose Preserve, Balanced, or Maximum compression.
Step 3
Compare the first page and file sizes before downloading the result.
What this tool does
The tool first samples the PDF to detect selectable text, page images, forms, and possible digital signatures. Preserve mode repackages PDF objects without turning pages into pictures. Balanced and Maximum modes rebuild pages as JPEG images for stronger scan compression, with clear warnings about what may be lost.
Privacy note: selected files are handled by JavaScript running on your device. The application does not intentionally transfer document contents to a BQ server. Browser extensions, managed-device policies, and the browser itself remain outside the site’s control.
Compatibility note: PDF is a complex format. Very large, encrypted, malformed, digitally signed, or unusually constructed files may not process correctly. Keep the original document until you have checked the result.
Frequently asked questions
Which mode should I use for normal documents?
Use Preserve text and quality when the PDF contains selectable text, links, forms, or accessibility structure. Size reduction may be modest.
When are Balanced and Maximum useful?
They are designed for scanned or image-heavy PDFs. They can reduce size substantially, but pages become images and text may stop being selectable.
What happens if compression makes the file larger?
Keep the smaller file is enabled by default. The tool then retains the original bytes instead of presenting a larger replacement.
Do digital signatures remain valid?
No PDF modification can be assumed to preserve a digital signature. The tool warns when signature markers are detected.
Related PDF tools
Continue your document workflow.
Merge PDF
Combine multiple PDF files in your chosen order.
Split PDF
Create separate PDFs from pages or page ranges.
Rotate PDF Pages
Select page thumbnails and rotate them visually.
Delete PDF Pages
Select thumbnails and remove unwanted PDF pages.
Extract PDF Pages
Select page thumbnails and create a focused PDF.
Add Page Numbers to PDF
Place configurable page numbers on every page.