PDF Tools

Optimize PDF for Web

Re-saves a PDF using compressed object streams, and can optionally clear document metadata and flatten form fields. This is a light clean-up, not true linearization (fast web view) and it does not recompress images.

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Optimize PDF for web:

  • Re-saves the PDF with compressed object streams
  • Optionally strips document metadata and flattens form fields
  • Does not recompress images and is not true linearization (fast web view)

Tip:

For best results, combine with our Compress PDF tool for maximum size reduction.

How to Use

  1. 1Drop one PDF onto the upload area.
  2. 2Leave Remove Metadata ticked to clear the title, author, subject, keywords, producer and creator, or untick it to keep them.
  3. 3Tick Flatten Forms if you want form fields turned into static content.
  4. 4Click Optimize for Web and download the file, named after the original with -web-optimized added.

Features

  • Saves the PDF with pdf-lib's useObjectStreams option, which can shrink the internal structure
  • Remove Metadata (on by default) blanks title, author, subject, keywords, producer and creator
  • Flatten Forms (off by default) bakes form fields into the pages
  • Does not recompress or downscale images, so image-heavy files change little
  • One PDF at a time; runs in your browser with no upload

FAQ

Is this real linearization (Fast Web View)?

No. The output is not linearized, so a browser will still need to download the file before it can show later pages. The tool only re-saves the PDF with object streams and, optionally, strips metadata.

What does the Remove Annotations checkbox do?

Nothing at the moment. The checkbox is shown, but the code never reads it when processing, so annotations remain in the output whether it is ticked or not. Don't rely on it to strip comments.

Will my file get much smaller?

Often only a little, and sometimes it doesn't shrink at all. Images are left as they are, and the tool does not report a size saving. For files dominated by images, results will be limited; Compress PDF works the same way, without image recompression.

Are my files uploaded anywhere?

No. The PDF is opened and saved in your browser, so it is not sent to a server for this job.

Related Tools

Compress PDF

Re-saves one PDF with metadata fields cleared. Does not recompress images, so savings are small.

PDF Metadata Remover

Blank the title, author, subject, keywords, creator and producer fields of a PDF.

Flatten PDF

Turn fillable PDF form fields into fixed page content that can no longer be edited.