Linearize PDF

Optimize PDF files for fast web viewing. Linearized PDFs load progressively in browsers.

Click to select PDFs or drag and drop

Single or multiple PDF files supported

Your files never leave your device.

What is PDF Linearization?

PDF linearization (also known as "Fast Web View" or "Optimized PDF") is a technique that reorganizes the internal structure of a PDF file to enable progressive loading in web browsers and PDF viewers.

Why linearize PDF files?

  • Faster Initial Display: First page loads immediately while rest downloads in background
  • Improved User Experience: Users don't wait for entire PDF to download
  • Bandwidth Efficiency: Viewers can access specific pages without downloading whole file
  • Web Optimization: Essential for PDFs displayed on websites or web applications
  • Mobile Friendly: Better performance on slower mobile connections
  • SEO Benefits: Faster loading times improve page experience metrics

Key Benefits

  • ✓ Progressive loading enabled
  • ✓ Faster first-page display
  • ✓ Reduced bandwidth usage
  • ✓ Web-optimized structure
  • ✓ 100% free forever
  • ✓ No quality loss

How to Linearize PDF Files

1

Upload PDF

Select your PDF document. All processing happens locally - your files never leave your device.

2

Automatic Optimization

Our tool automatically restructures PDF for web viewing. No settings to configure.

3

Download Linearized PDF

Download your optimized PDF with Fast Web View enabled. Original content remains unchanged.

Technical Details

What Linearization Does

  • Reorganizes PDF object order for sequential access
  • Adds hint tables for faster page navigation
  • Places cross-reference table at beginning of file
  • Optimizes byte offsets for HTTP range requests

Use Cases

  • PDFs embedded on websites
  • Mobile PDF viewing applications
  • Cloud-based document management systems
  • Large catalogs or manuals accessed online

Frequently Asked Questions

No, linearization only changes the internal structure of the PDF file. All content remains exactly the same:

  • Text, images, and vector graphics are unchanged
  • No compression or quality reduction occurs
  • Page layout and formatting remain intact
  • Bookmarks, links, and annotations are preserved
  • File content is 100% identical

Linearization typically adds a small overhead (usually 1-5% of file size) due to:

  • Hint tables for faster page access
  • Additional cross-reference information
  • Optimized byte range markers
  • The benefit of faster loading outweighs the slight size increase
  • For large files, the percentage increase is negligible

Yes, but you need to decrypt the PDF first:

  • Use our Decrypt PDF tool first
  • Linearize the decrypted PDF
  • If needed, re-encrypt using our Encrypt PDF tool
  • Linearization preserves encryption if already linearized
  • Some DRM-protected PDFs cannot be linearized

There are several ways to check:

  • Open in Adobe Acrobat and check Document Properties
  • Look for "Fast Web View" in properties
  • Check file header for "linearized" keyword
  • Use command line: pdfinfo yourfile.pdf | grep Linearized
  • Our tool will detect and indicate if PDF is already linearized

Yes, linearized PDFs are fully backward compatible:

  • Works with all modern PDF viewers (Adobe, Foxit, Preview, etc.)
  • Browsers benefit most from progressive loading
  • Desktop applications may not show speed improvement
  • No special requirements for viewing
  • Some very old viewers (pre-2000) might have issues

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