Its problematic if we cant use a .pdf due to the file size limitation.

But thats where compressing a file comes in handy.

And obviously, losing no quality is the first priority.

how-to-compress-a-pdf

In this article, Ill help you lower your PDF file size in several ways on different OS.

Have a thorough look and perform your preferred one.

Plus, you’ve got the option to use its web-based tool.

click-reduced-size-pdf

To add more,MS Wordalso helps to compress PDF size.

And for Mac, itsPreviewapp can reduce PDF size too.

Speaking of compressing a PDF file, you’re able to alsoedit a PDF filewithout any issues.

choose-retain-existing-and-click-ok

you’re free to compress PDFs both in a free & paid way.

The paid ones give you more control while compressing a PDF.

But free methods arent that bad.

select-optimized-pdf

They can also reduce PDF size by a significant percentage.

I mean, I find them good to go most of the time.

So, well compress our files through paid Acrobat in the first two ways.

click-audit-space-adobe-acrobat-pro

Then well do that using the free options.

Here are the ways to compress a PDF from both Windows & macOS:

1.

There are several ways to reduce file size in Adobe Acrobat.

change-ppi-from-pdf-optimizer-adobe-acrobat-pro

Let me show them one by one.

So, in case you need that, first sign your PDF and then compress it.

To compress PDF documents with Adobe Acrobat, you must install it first.

adobe-compress-pdf-online-click-select-file

However, if you have already installed Adobe Acrobat on your Windows or Mac, move to method 1.

So, go to Adobe Acrobats official website and download it.

hit the downloaded file to begin the installation process.

adobe-pdf-compress-progress-status

And then, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process.

This will compress the PDF while saving it on the PC.

Now, check whether the compressed PDF file meets the expected file size.

click-download-button-adobe-compress-pdf

After that, Adobe Acrobat will start compressing it.

you’re free to see the compressed progress percentage.

Once compressed, hit theDownloadbutton beside the preview.

compress-pdf-from-microsoft-word

Note:Choosing theHighoption for compressing the PDF will reduce the PDF quality.

So, my recommendation is to grab the Medium or Low option.

Use your built-in MS Word to do so.

open-pdf-on-macos-with-preview-app

After saving the PDF, check the file properties and look for how much your compressed it.

Itll compress the file size by more than 60%.

you might read PDF files, do some PDF editing, and add e-signatures with it.

click-export-option-macos-preview-app

Even you could compress PDFs with it.

Now, check the compressed PDF documents properties and the file size.

Youll find the PDF file size gets trimmed down.

change-quartz-filter-to-reduce-file-size-macos-preview-app

FAQs

What is the purpose of compressing a PDF?

Compressing large PDF files is convenient for avoiding file size limits, whether its email or submitting elsewhere.

Also, smaller PDF file sizes are easily sharable, and uploading is faster.

How to compress a PDF without Adobe Acrobat?

you could compress a PDF with MS Word or other web-based apps.

If youre using macOS, you could also use Microsoft Word or its built-in Preview app.

The Preview app is a great tool for modifying any PDF files.

How can I compress a PDF by 50%?

Go to the official site, choose the file, or simplydrag & dropthe file into the dropzone.

Then choose the compression level, and click theCompressbutton.

Conclusion

When the upload file size limit is set, you should always reduce the file size.

And this is so true for other file types, not just PDFs.

This guide covers the perfect ways to compress PDF files without degrading the quality of PDF files that much.

I am sure you have understood all the methods and steps very well.

If you need more PDF-related help, comment below.

Wishing you all the best!