Free PDF Redaction Tool
Redact a PDF online free
Permanently black out sensitive content before sharing a document. Use the tool below to draw redaction boxes, then download the flattened, redacted file.
Browser-based redaction
Upload a PDF, draw black boxes over content you want to permanently hide, and download the redacted file. Redacted pages are flattened to images so the original text cannot be recovered.
Your files are handled safely
✔ Processing happens in your browser
✔ Your file is never uploaded to a server
✔ Your files are not stored or saved anywhere
✔ No account or sign-up required
Why Use It
Common reasons people redact PDFs
Personal information
Hide account numbers, addresses, or ID numbers before sharing a document.
Confidential business details
Remove pricing, names, or terms that shouldn't be visible to every reader.
Legal and compliance needs
Prepare documents for release where certain sections must not be visible.
How It Works
Simple 3-step workflow
1. Upload your PDF
Choose the PDF file that contains content to hide.
2. Draw redaction boxes
Click and drag over each area you want permanently hidden.
3. Apply and download
Flatten the pages and download the redacted PDF.
Why This Is Real Redaction
Not just a box drawn on top
Many quick tools simply draw a black rectangle over text while leaving the original text underneath — meaning it can still be selected, copied, or recovered. This tool flattens each redacted page into a single image, so the original text is destroyed, not hidden. The tradeoff is a larger file with text that's no longer selectable or searchable.
FAQ
Redact PDF questions
Is this real redaction, or just a black box on top of the text?
This is real redaction. After you draw boxes, each page is converted into a flattened image with the black boxes baked in, so the original text underneath no longer exists in the file and cannot be selected, copied, or recovered.
Will the file size change?
Yes. Because pages become images instead of text, redacted PDFs are usually larger than the original and the text is no longer searchable or selectable.
Can I redact multiple areas on a page?
Yes, draw as many boxes as you need on each page before applying redactions.
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. Redaction runs entirely in your browser. Your PDF is never uploaded to a server, and nothing is stored.