Compress Scanned PDF
Scanned PDFs contain large embedded images that balloon file size to 10-50MB or more. Apply extreme compression to dramatically reduce your scanned document size — perfect for uploading, emailing, or archiving.
Unlike native PDFs that store text as vector data, scanned PDFs store every page as a high-resolution image. A 10-page scanned document can easily reach 30-50MB. PDF.it applies extreme compression that targets these embedded images, dramatically reducing file size while keeping text legible.
- ✓ Extreme compression targets large embedded scan images
- ✓ Preserves existing OCR text layers
- ✓ Works on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux
- ✓ No installation — compress scanned PDFs in your browser
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Supported formats: .pdf
Scanned Contracts & Agreements
Signed contracts scanned at high resolution can be enormous. Compress them to a manageable size for email attachments, cloud storage, or uploading to document management systems.
Archived Documents & Records
Digitizing paper archives creates massive PDF files. Compress your scanned archives to save storage space while keeping documents accessible and searchable.
Receipts, Invoices & ID Scans
Expense reports and ID documents are often required for applications with strict file size limits. Compress scanned receipts and IDs to meet upload requirements easily.
How to Compress a Scanned PDF
Upload your scanned PDF
Drag and drop or click to choose a file
Click Compress PDF
Extreme compression targets embedded images
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are scanned PDFs so large?
Scanned PDFs contain full-page images instead of text. Each page is essentially a high-resolution photograph, which is why scanned documents are typically 10-50MB or more. Compression targets these embedded images to dramatically reduce file size.
Will compression make my scanned document unreadable?
Text in scanned documents remains legible after compression. Extreme compression reduces image resolution, but printed text stays readable for most purposes. If you need perfect image quality, consider using recommended compression instead.
Can I compress a multi-page scanned PDF?
Yes. PDF.it compresses all pages in your scanned PDF at once. Multi-page scans often see the largest size reductions because every page contains a full image that can be optimized.
How much can a scanned PDF be compressed?
Results vary depending on the scan resolution and number of pages. Scanned PDFs typically compress very well — reductions of 50-80% are common, though exact results depend on your specific document.
Does compressing a scanned PDF affect OCR text?
If your scanned PDF already has an OCR text layer, compression preserves it. The text layer is separate from the image layer, so you can still search and copy text after compression.
What if my scanned PDF is still too large after compression?
Try splitting the PDF into smaller sections with our Split PDF tool, then compress each part individually. You can also remove unnecessary pages before compressing to reduce the overall size further.