Help Center
Learn how to use pdf.sh's free PDF tools and troubleshoot common issues.
Quick Start
Just open any tool, drop your PDF, and click the action button. No account required for most tools. All tools are 100% free — sign up only to remove the 5-compression guest limit.
How to Use Each Tool
- 1Drag and drop your PDF or click to select
- 2Choose compression level: Light (300 DPI), Balanced (150 DPI), or Maximum (72 DPI)
- 3Wait for processing — files are compressed in your browser
- 4Download your compressed PDF
Client-side by default, server fallback if needed
- 1Drop multiple PDF files
- 2Drag to reorder files as needed
- 3Click 'Merge' to combine
- 4Download the merged PDF
100% client-side — files never leave your device
- 1Upload your PDF
- 2Enter page ranges (e.g., 1-3, 5, 7-10)
- 3Click 'Split' to extract pages
- 4Download each split file
100% client-side — files never leave your device
- 1Upload your PDF
- 2Click on pages to select, or select all
- 3Choose rotation: 90°, 180°, or 270°
- 4Download the rotated PDF
100% client-side — files never leave your device
- 1Upload your PDF
- 2Choose format: JPG or PNG
- 3Select quality/DPI settings
- 4Download images for each page
100% client-side — files never leave your device
- 1Upload one or more images (JPG, PNG, etc.)
- 2Drag to reorder images
- 3Click 'Create PDF'
- 4Download your new PDF
100% client-side — files never leave your device
- 1Upload your PDF
- 2Enter watermark text or upload an image
- 3Adjust position, size, opacity, and rotation
- 4Download the watermarked PDF
100% client-side — files never leave your device
- 1Upload your PDF
- 2Draw your signature or upload an image
- 3Position the signature on the page
- 4Download the signed PDF
100% client-side — files never leave your device
- 1Upload your PDF
- 2Enter signer name and email
- 3Position signature and date fields
- 4Complete signing with legal verification
- 5Download signed PDF and audit certificate
Server-side — required for cryptographic signatures and audit trails
- 1Upload your PDF
- 2Enter an open password and/or owner password
- 3Click 'Protect PDF'
- 4Download the encrypted PDF
Server-side — files encrypted in transit, auto-deleted within 1 hour
- 1Upload a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file
- 2Click 'Convert'
- 3Wait for server processing
- 4Download the converted PDF
Server-side — files auto-deleted within 1 hour
Troubleshooting
Compression is slow
PDF compression using WebAssembly is CPU-intensive. Processing speed depends on your device. Try closing other tabs or using a desktop browser for best performance.
File is too large
Desktop browsers can typically handle files up to 50MB. Mobile browsers are limited to 10-20MB. For larger files, try splitting the PDF first, processing each part, then merging.
Browser shows memory error
Your browser ran out of memory. Close other tabs, restart your browser, or try a smaller file. For compression, the server fallback will automatically activate if available.
PDF not compressing
Some PDFs are already optimized and can't be reduced further. This is common with PDFs from modern software. Our Smart Optimize feature automatically tries maximum compression if initial savings are minimal.
Features not working
Ensure you're using a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). Clear your browser cache and disable any ad blockers that might interfere. Try incognito/private mode.
Error Messages & Solutions
If you see an error message, find your tool below and click to expand for detailed explanations and solutions.
Browser Compatibility
| Browser | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Chrome | Recommended | Best WebAssembly performance |
Firefox | Recommended | Excellent compatibility |
Safari | Supported | May have slower WASM performance |
Edge | Supported | Same engine as Chrome |
Mobile Chrome | Supported | Reduced file size limits |
Mobile Safari | Supported | Reduced file size limits |
Contact Us
Can't find what you're looking for? Send us a message and we'll get back to you. You can also check our FAQ for common questions.