Frequently asked questions
Answers about privacy, file limits and what each PDFReadyGo tool can and cannot do, checked against how the tools work.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The tools read your files in your browser’s memory and create the result on your device. The software that does the work, including the PDF libraries, is loaded from pdfreadygo.com, and none of it sends the contents, name or extracted text of your files anywhere. When we monitored network traffic while running the tools on October 29, 2026, no file data left the browser.
Like most websites, pages do make ordinary web requests. PDFReadyGo loads Google AdSense and Cloudflare Web Analytics, which receive standard visit information such as the page address, your browser type and IP address, but not your documents. See how privacy works for details.
What happens to my files when I close the page?
Nothing is stored. Selected files and results exist only in the open tab. Start over clears them from the current tool, and leaving or reloading the page clears them too. Files you download stay on your device until you delete them, so save your result before you leave.
Is PDFReadyGo free, and do I need an account?
Yes, every tool is free to use, with no account, sign-up or software to install. There are no usage counters or paid upgrades. The site loads Google AdSense, so ads may appear on its pages.
How large can my files be?
Each file can be up to 30 MB, the files you select at once can total up to 100 MB, and you can select up to 25 files at a time. Some tools also have page limits: PDFs opened for editing can have up to 500 pages, a merged result up to 1,000 pages, PDF to Word up to 200 pages, and image-based compression, PDF to JPG and Organize PDF page previews up to 100 pages. Split PDF can create up to 100 separate files at once, and images for Images to PDF must be under 50 megapixels.
Because processing happens on your device, very large scans can also be limited by your browser’s memory. If a file is too big, use Split PDF to work on it in parts.
Which devices and browsers work?
PDFReadyGo is built on standard browser features found in current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android. We have tested the tools in Chrome and Firefox, including at phone screen sizes. JavaScript must be enabled, because the processing happens in the page itself. Phones have less memory than computers, so large scans and long documents are faster and more reliable on a laptop or desktop. On a phone, see how to combine PDFs on iPhone or Android.
Why won’t my PDF get smaller?
Some PDFs are already compressed efficiently. Optimize mode in Compress PDF keeps page content exactly as it is, so it cannot shrink photographs inside the file. Image-based mode can shrink scans a lot, but it can make a short text document larger. If the new file would be bigger, the tool gives you your unchanged original instead. Read why your PDF will not get smaller and how to reduce a PDF’s size for email for other options.
Can I use a password-protected PDF?
Not directly. There is no password box, and the tools do not remove or bypass protection. A PDF that needs a password to open is rejected with the message “This PDF is password-protected. Use an unlocked copy you have permission to process.” A PDF that opens normally but has editing restrictions is rejected by the tools that modify PDFs, such as Merge, Compress, Split and Rotate, although PDF to JPG and PDF to Word can still read it. If you have permission, save an unprotected copy from the app you normally open it with, then use that copy.
Do the tools work with scanned PDFs?
Yes, for organizing and compressing. You can merge, split, rotate, reorder and number the pages of a scan, and image-based mode in Compress PDF is designed for scans. PDF to Word is different: it extracts text that is already selectable and does not include OCR (text recognition). For a scan with no selectable text, it reports that no selectable text was found.
How good is the result from PDF to Word?
PDF to Word extracts the text into an editable .docx document, either as flowing text or with each original page kept separate. Images, tables, columns and exact formatting are not recreated, and pages without selectable text are listed so you can check them. It is best for reusing the wording of a document, not for an identical copy. Read what text extraction can and cannot do.
What quality are the images from PDF to JPG?
PDF to JPG draws each page as an image at 72 DPI (smaller), 108 DPI (balanced) or 144 DPI (sharper), saved as JPG or PNG. The higher settings suit printing and zooming; PNG avoids JPG compression artifacts in text and diagrams. Very large pages are capped at about 2,600 pixels on the longest side. A single page downloads as an image; several pages download as a ZIP file.
Will Images to PDF reduce my photo quality?
Photos up to 3,000 pixels on the longest side keep their full resolution. Larger photos are scaled down to 3,000 pixels, which is still sharp on a printed A4 or Letter page. Images are stored losslessly in the PDF, so the file can be larger than the original JPGs; use Compress PDF afterwards if you need a smaller file. JPG, PNG and WebP are supported. HEIC photos from an iPhone are not, so export them as JPG first.
Will editing a PDF affect signatures or forms?
It can. Any change to a PDF, including compressing, rotating, merging and adding watermarks or page numbers, can invalidate a digital signature. Merging may not keep bookmarks, attachments or fillable form fields, and image-based compression removes searchable text, links and form fields. Keep your original files, and sign or fill in forms after you finish editing.
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