Lossy vs Lossless PDF Compression

Lossless compression reduces file size without discarding source data. It is safer for text, line art, and documents where exact reproduction matters, but the size reduction may be limited.

Lossy compression removes or simplifies visual information, usually in images. It can produce much smaller files, especially for scans and photos, but too much compression can blur details.

Use the least aggressive setting that meets your file-size target. If the result looks soft, read how to reduce PDF size without losing quality.

For the complete topic map, start with the PDF compression guide. When you are ready to reduce a file, open Compress PDF and export a smaller copy in your browser.

If your output is still too large or looks blurry, use the compression troubleshooting guide to narrow down the cause.