Optimize PDF Images Online — Free & Secure
Shrink the pictures inside a PDF without touching the text. Choose the JPEG quality and the largest image size, optionally turn images grayscale, and see exactly how many images were reduced before you download.
- 1 Upload
- 2 Choose Settings
- 3 Download
Step 1 of 3: Upload your PDF
Drop your PDF file here
or choose a file from your device
PDF only • Up to 50 MB
Drag & drop • Click to browse • No signup required
Your file is processed securely and is automatically removed after processing. Your original is never changed.
- 1 Upload your PDF
- 2 Choose quality & image size
- 3 Confirm and optimize
- 4 Download a lighter PDF
Reading your PDF…
- Sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection
- Deleted automatically, normally within 60 minutes
- No registration needed · Privacy Policy
Optimize PDF Images
Pick how hard to squeeze the pictures, then download a lighter PDF.
- 1 Upload
- 2 Choose Settings
- 3 Download
Step 2 of 3: Choose how to optimize the images
- Tip: start with Balanced and Up to 2000 px — it suits most scans and photos.
- Tip: scans of text can usually go Smaller file without any loss you can read.
Optimizing your images…
0%
Uploading your file…
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Here’s a look at your finished PDF.
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Result Summary
Save to Cloud (Optional)
Keep your file safe and accessible from anywhere.
Pick a folder in your own account, or share the file straight from here.
Useful Tips
- Photos and scans shrink a lot; PDFs that are mostly text barely change, and that is normal.
- Re-encoding is lossy. Keep your original in case you need the full-quality images later.
- Need it smaller still? Run Compress PDF afterwards.
✨ Did you know? You can also compress, crop, merge and more — all in one place!
Explore All ToolsWhat would you like to do next?
Re-encode the pictures in a PDF at the quality and size you choose.
Getting started
- Upload your PDF, or drag it onto the box.
- Choose a quality and the largest image size.
- Confirm and download the lighter PDF.
Key concepts
- JPEG quality
- Higher means sharper images and a bigger file. 75% is a good balance.
- Largest image size
- Images bigger than this on their longest side are scaled down, keeping their shape.
- What is left alone
- Text, vector graphics, images with transparency and very small images are not touched.
- Your original
- It is never changed. You always get a new file.
Tips & shortcuts
- Grayscale is a quick extra saving for black-and-white scans.
- If nothing shrinks, the file is probably already well optimized or mostly text.
- Enter confirms · Esc closes a dialog · ? opens this panel.
Did you know? Switching to another tool in the sidebar carries your file over automatically — no need to re-upload.
Still stuck? Read the questions below or contact support and we'll help.
What Is Optimize PDF Images?
Optimize PDF Images re-encodes the pictures inside your PDF as JPEG at the quality you choose, and scales down any image that is larger than the size you allow. Text, fonts and vector graphics are left exactly as they were, so the document still looks and searches the same.
You choose how aggressive to be, and the result screen tells you exactly how many images were found, how many were reduced, and how much space the image data saved. If a file is already well optimized, you get your original back instead of a worse copy.
When to Use It
- Shrink a scanned or photo-heavy PDF so it fits an email or upload limit
- Cut the size of a presentation exported with huge pictures
- Make a PDF friendlier for slow connections and phones
- Convert colour scans to grayscale to save space
- Keep text sharp while reducing only the pictures
Step-by-Step Guide
Upload your PDF.
Choose the JPEG quality and the largest image size.
Confirm and optimize.
Download the lighter PDF and check the pictures.
Tips
- Photos shrink the most; a text-only PDF will barely change
- Try Balanced first, and only go smaller if you need to
- Grayscale is an easy win for black-and-white scans
- Looking for the quickest one-click option? Use Compress PDF
- For a whole-file clean-up, add Optimize PDF for Web
Troubleshooting
Problem: The file barely got smaller
Solution: It probably has few images, or they were already compressed. Try a smaller quality or image size, or use Compress PDF.
Problem: Pictures look blurry
Solution: The quality or size was too low. Run it again from your original with Best quality or a larger size.
Problem: A logo with a transparent background did not change
Solution: Images with transparency are skipped on purpose so they do not get a white box.
Problem: My file will not upload
Solution: Confirm it is a real PDF under 50 MB. Unlock password-protected files first with Unlock PDF.
Optimize PDF Images FAQ
Will the text be affected?
No. Only embedded pictures are re-encoded. Text, fonts and vector graphics stay as they were.
Is image optimization reversible?
No. Re-encoding as JPEG is lossy, so keep your original if you may need the full-quality images again.
What quality should I choose?
Balanced (75%) suits most documents. Go to Smaller or Smallest for scans of text or when you need a tiny file.
Why did some images stay the same?
Very small images, images with transparency and images that would not get clearly smaller are left alone.
How is this different from Compress PDF?
Compress PDF is a quick preset. Here you choose the exact JPEG quality and largest image size, and see a count of what changed.
Are my files kept?
No. Your uploads and the result are deleted automatically a short time after processing.
Privacy & Security
Your files are handled securely
Uploads are transferred over an encrypted connection and processed in an isolated job folder. Your original files are never modified — the result is always a new, separate file. Files are deleted automatically a short time after processing. For very sensitive documents, read our Privacy Policy.
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It is free and takes just a few seconds.
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