Reduce PDF size and check readability
Start with Balanced, then compare file size and readability. Try Strong compression if needed, but check small text and image detail before sharing.
Choose a compression mode
For email attachments or online forms, start with Balanced. Use the original PDF for each attempt so you can compare the results.
| Mode | When to try it | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Balanced | First attempt for sharing | File size and small text |
| Strong compression | The Balanced result is still too large | Photo detail, thin lines and numbers in scans |
| Print or High quality | Image detail matters more than file size | Readability at the size you will view or print |
Check the result against the size limit
- Check the recipient’s size limit, then process the original with Balanced and download the result.
- Compare the result’s file size with both the original and the limit. A completed operation does not guarantee a smaller file.
- If the result is still too large, try Strong compression on the original. If you need a printed copy or more image detail, try Print or High quality and compare the results.
Keep the original if the result is worse
View a page with small text at the size the recipient will use. Check decimal points, receipt totals, chart labels and thin lines. Compare any photos or scanned pages with the original too.
Keep the original if the result is larger or important details become difficult to read. A text-only or already optimised PDF may not get much smaller. Running an already compressed file through the tool again can reduce image detail without bringing it below the size limit.