How to Compress a PDF on Mac
Three ways to compress a PDF on Mac: Preview app, FileCraft browser tool, or Automator. FileCraft gives the best compression without uploading.
macOS has built-in PDF compression via Preview and Quartz Filters, but the quality reduction is often too aggressive. FileCraft gives you much better control from any browser.
Step-by-Step Guide
Option 1: Use FileCraft (Recommended)
Open Safari or Chrome, go to filecraft.tools/compress-pdf, drop your PDF, choose quality, download. No software installation needed.
Option 2: macOS Preview
Open PDF in Preview > File > Export as PDF > Quartz Filter > "Reduce File Size". Warning: this reduces quality dramatically.
Option 3: Print to PDF
Open in Preview > File > Print > PDF menu > Save as PDF. This rarely reduces file size significantly.
Try it now — free, no account, no upload
Open Compress Pdf →Pro Tips
- 💡FileCraft gives the best compression-to-quality ratio on Mac
- 💡For scanned PDFs, try the "High" quality setting first
- 💡Preview's "Reduce File Size" can make PDFs look pixelated — avoid for professional documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Does macOS have a built-in PDF compressor?
Yes, Preview's Quartz Filter "Reduce File Size" compresses PDFs, but the quality is often poor. FileCraft gives much better results.
Can I compress a PDF without opening it on Mac?
Yes. Right-click the PDF > Quick Actions > Reduce File Size. Or use FileCraft in your browser.