Optimize images in PDF

Downscale and recompress oversized embedded images, and drop duplicate image data.

Free on the API and MCP server — generous limits, files deleted within an hour, content never logged.

🖥️

This one runs on our servers — under the same privacy rules.
Files are virus-scanned before processing, stored encrypted, and deleted within 1 hour. Content is never logged. And it's free: 250 operations a day, every day, plus burst on spare capacity.

Optimize images in PDF needs server-grade machinery (heavy conversion, OCR or cryptography the browser can't do safely), so it runs through the REST API and the MCP server instead of an uploader. One free key drives both — get yours in about a minute.

REST API

curl -X POST https://api.pdfmcp.org/v1/jobs \
  -H "X-API-Key: pdfmcp_live_YOUR_KEY" \
  -F files=@your-file.pdf -F op=optimize_images -F max_dimension=1600 -F quality=80

Submit → poll → download. Full walkthrough in the REST API quickstart guide.

MCP (for AI agents)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pdfmcp": {
      "url": "https://mcp.pdfmcp.org/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "X-API-Key": "pdfmcp_live_YOUR_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Paste into Claude, Cursor, VS Code, ChatGPT and 9 more clients — setup guides for every major MCP client.

By using the API or MCP server you agree to the Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy. Files you send are deleted within an hour; see the Privacy Policy.

How optimize images in pdf works here

Downscale and recompress oversized embedded images, and drop duplicate image data. Server-side, the job passes the security inspection gauntlet first (antivirus, structural and active-content checks), runs in a sandboxed worker, and the result waits for you for exactly one hour.

People often pair this with compress pdf and repair pdf — same deal there: free, private, no sign-up.

Parameters

Parameter	Type		Default	Description
`max_dimension`	integer	optional	1600	Longest side (px) an embedded image may keep.
`quality`	integer	optional	80	JPEG quality for recompressed images.

FAQ

Is Optimize images in PDF free?

Yes — completely free, with no watermark, no sign-up and no trial clock. On the API/MCP side every key gets 250 guaranteed operations a day plus unlimited burst operations on spare capacity. See the pricing page for the full (short) policy.

What happens to my file?

You send it to the pdfmcp API/MCP server over HTTPS. It is virus-scanned and inspected before processing, stored in an encrypted temporary volume, and automatically deleted within 1 hour of the job finishing. We never log file content or file names.

Can I automate Optimize images in PDF with an AI agent or code?

Yes — the exact same operation is a tool on the pdfmcp MCP server (for Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT and other agents) and an endpoint on the REST API. One free key works for both; the guides walk you through setup in about a minute.

Are there limits?

Files up to 100 MB and 500 pages. Web tools are additionally bounded by your device's memory. The caps exist to stop abuse and keep the shared machine fair — they are not a paywall, and there is no paid tier to unlock.

Browse the optimize pdf hub or the full tool index. Building something bigger? Read the features tour and the free usage policy.

Optimize images in PDF

REST API

MCP (for AI agents)

How optimize images in pdf works here

Parameters

FAQ

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