How to Drastically Reduce PDF File Size (90%+ Compression)

When You Need Extreme Compression

Sometimes regular compression isn't enough. You need to drastically reduce PDF size when:

Email limits - Your attachment exceeds the 10MB limit

Portal uploads - Government or job sites have strict limits

Storage - You're running out of cloud storage

Sharing - Large files are slow to download

Compression Levels Explained

< table >< th > Level < th > Size Reduction < th > Quality Loss < th > Use Case < tr > Low10-20%NoneArchive quality < tr > Medium30-50%MinimalGeneral use < tr > High60-80%SomeEmail/sharing < tr > Extreme80-95%NoticeablePortal uploads

How to Get 90%+ Compression

Step 1: Use Extreme Setting

Go to ExactPDF Compress PDF and select Extreme compression.

Step 2: Understand the Trade-offs

Extreme compression:

Reduces image resolution significantly

May blur photos and graphics

Text remains readable

Step 3: Check the Result

Always preview your compressed PDF:

Can you read all text?

Are important images clear enough?

Does it meet the size requirement?

Real Compression Results

We tested with a 10MB PDF containing:

20 pages

Multiple images

Standard text

< table >< th > Setting < th > Output Size < th > Reduction < tr > Low8.5 MB15% < tr > Medium5.2 MB48% < tr > High2.1 MB79% < tr > Extreme0.9 MB91%

Tips for Maximum Compression

Remove unnecessary pages - Split the PDF first

Convert to grayscale - Color uses more data

Lower resolution - 150 DPI is fine for screens

Use multiple passes - Compress twice if needed

When Extreme Isn't Enough

If even extreme compression doesn't work:

Split into multiple files

Convert to image-based PDF

Remove embedded fonts

Compress images before adding to PDF

Compress PDF to Extreme →