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How to Reduce the Size of a Scanned PDF

By FreeNation Softwares · Updated 2026-10-18

Open the Compress PDF tool →

Scanning creates big files because every page is stored as a full-resolution image. A few scanned pages can be 10–20 MB. Compression brings that down dramatically.

How to compress a scanned PDF

  1. Open the Compress PDF tool —
  2. Upload the scanned PDF —
  3. Choose "Recommended" or "High" — Scanned files compress a lot, so High is often fine and still readable.
  4. Download —
💡 If you only need a few pages, split the PDF first — fewer pages means an even smaller file.
Ready? Use the Compress PDF tool — free, and your file never leaves your device.

FAQ

Why are scanned PDFs so big?

Each page is a high-resolution image, which is heavy.

How much smaller will it get?

Often 60–85% smaller while staying readable.

Is it private?

Yes — processed on your device.

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