#  `delete_images`

Delete images
## Usage
> pdftl `<input>` `delete_images` `[[spec](params)...]` `output` `<output>`

## Details
The `delete_images` operation permanently overwrites images matching specific criteria
with a 1x1 transparent pixel. This safely crushes large graphical bloat (like full-page ads)
while maintaining strict PDF structural validity.

**Global vs. Page-Based:**
- **Global (Default):** If you omit the page selector or use `-`, the operation scans the
  entire internal PDF object table. It will aggressively find and destroy matching images
  no matter where they hide (including inside annotations, patterns, and background forms).
- **Page-Based:** If you provide a specific page range (e.g., `1-5`), it will only scan
  those specific pages and the forms located on them.
  *(Note: Because the underlying data is overwritten, if a deleted image on page 1 is also
  shared on page 10, it will visually disappear from page 10 as well).*

The syntax is `[selector](Key=Value, ...)`, where:
  - `selector` is an optional page range (`1-5`, `odd`, `-`). If omitted, acts globally.
  - `Key=Value` pairs define the filter criteria an image must meet to be deleted.

### Filter Parameters

| Parameter | Description | Example |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| `minbytes` | Min stream size in bytes. Supports `k`, `m`, `g` suffixes. | `100k`, `2m` |
| `maxbytes` | Max stream size in bytes. Supports `k`, `m`, `g` suffixes. | `10000`, `1.6m` |
| `minpixels` | Min dimensions (`WxH`) OR min total area (single number). | `20x400`, `100k` |
| `maxpixels` | Max dimensions (`WxH`) OR max total area (single number). | `1000x1000`, `10m` |
| `format` | Substring match against the image filter. | `dct` (JPEG), `flate` (PNG) |

*Note: If multiple parameters are provided, an image must meet ALL criteria to be replaced.*
## Examples

> Globally scan and destroy any image larger than 500KB anywhere in the document.
```
pdftl in.pdf delete_images '(minbytes=500k)' output out.pdf
```

> On even pages from 1 to 10, destroy images > 100KB with a minimum dimension of 20x400.
```
pdftl in.pdf delete_images '1-10even(minbytes=100k,minpixels=20x400)' output out.pdf
```

> Globally destroy all JPEG (DCTDecode) images.
```
pdftl in.pdf delete_images '(format=dct)' output out.pdf
```


**Tags**: in_place, images, optimization, delete

*Source: pdftl.operations.delete_images*

*Read online: [https://pdftl.readthedocs.io/en/stable/operations/delete_images.html](https://pdftl.readthedocs.io/en/stable/operations/delete_images.html)*

*Type: Operation*