Redact PDF documents online
Permanently remove sensitive text from any PDF — free, private, and processed securely with files never stored. True redaction, not a cosmetic black box. No account, no watermark.
Secure
Processing, never stored
0
Files ever stored
True
Text removal, not masking
Free
Always, no paywall
How to redact a PDF online
Three steps, no account — permanently remove sensitive text in under two minutes.
Upload your PDF
Drop a PDF or click to browse. Works on phone, tablet, and desktop — no app to install and your files are processed securely, never stored.
Highlight the text to redact
Draw black boxes over the names, numbers, or regions you want gone. Add as many boxes as you need across every page.
Download the redacted PDF
Export your file with the covered text permanently deleted and metadata stripped. No watermark, no email, no waiting.
Everything you need to redact PDFs online
A free, private PDF redaction tool that permanently removes sensitive text — no software to download, no account to create.
True redaction, not a black box
Covered text is permanently deleted from the PDF's content stream — not just hidden behind a rectangle. Nothing underneath stays selectable, searchable, or copyable.
Highlight exactly what to remove
Draw black boxes over names, account numbers, addresses, or any sensitive text. Redact one region or dozens across every page of the document.
Works on scanned PDFs too
For image-based or scanned pages, the tool covers regions at the pixel level and re-embeds the flattened image, so the original pixels are gone for good.
Metadata stripped automatically
Author, title, producer, and other hidden document metadata are removed on every export — no leftover fingerprints of the original file.
Processed securely, never stored
Your files are processed securely and never stored. Scanned PDFs are redacted right in your browser; text PDFs use a secure server that keeps no copy once redaction is done.
Free & unlimited
Redact as many PDFs as you want, as often as you want. No signup, no free-trial countdown, and no watermark on the output.
Removal you can trust
Unlike a black box drawn in Preview or Word, redacted text is deleted from the file itself. Nothing underneath can be selected, searched, or copied back out.
Processed securely, never stored
Scanned PDFs are redacted entirely in your browser. Text PDFs are sent to a secure server that redacts and returns them without ever keeping a copy. Either way, your files are processed securely and never stored.
Why people redact PDFs online
Anywhere sensitive data must be shared, true redaction keeps it out of the wrong hands. Here's where it helps most.
Redact Aadhaar and PAN details
Black out Aadhaar numbers, PAN, and other government IDs before sharing KYC documents. The digits are removed, not just masked over.
Hide bank and financial data
Remove account numbers, card details, and balances from statements before sending them to a landlord, lender, or accountant.
Protect personal contact info
Strip names, home addresses, phone numbers, and emails from documents you publish or forward to third parties.
Share legal and case files safely
Redact privileged or confidential passages from contracts, filings, and evidence before disclosure — with true removal that holds up.
Anonymize medical records
Remove patient identifiers from health records and reports so they can be shared for research or second opinions without leaking PHI.
Prepare documents for FOIA or publication
Permanently remove sensitive lines from records before releasing them publicly, so nothing can be recovered by copy-pasting.
More free PDF tools
Private, free, and no signup — files processed securely and never stored, just like the redaction tool.
Trusted by professionals handling sensitive files
People redact PDFs here every day before sharing them. Here's what a few of them say.
“I used to draw black boxes in Preview until I learned the text was still selectable underneath. This actually removes it. Huge difference for sharing KYC docs.”
“We redact bank statements for clients every week. Files are processed securely and never stored, and the numbers are genuinely gone — that's what our compliance team needed.”
“Redacting patient identifiers here is fast and secure — files are processed securely and never stored, and it works on our scanned records too.”
Frequently asked questions about redacting PDFs
Is this real redaction or just a black box on top?
Real redaction. The covered text is deleted from the PDF's content stream, so nothing underneath stays selectable, searchable, or copyable. It is not a cosmetic rectangle you can move or copy behind.
Are my files stored on a server?
No. Your files are processed securely and never stored. Scanned PDFs are redacted entirely in your browser, while text-based PDFs are sent to a secure server that redacts and returns them without keeping a copy — nothing is retained after redaction.
Does it work on scanned PDFs?
Yes. For scanned or image-based pages, the tool covers the selected regions at the pixel level and re-embeds the flattened image, so the original pixels are permanently gone.
Do I need Adobe Acrobat to redact a PDF?
No. This is a free online tool that runs entirely in your browser — no Acrobat, no Pro subscription, and no software to install.
Is the document metadata removed too?
Yes. Author, title, producer, and other hidden metadata are stripped from the file on every export, so no fingerprints of the original document remain.
Does this work on mobile?
Yes. The tool is mobile-first and works on iPhone, Android, and any device with a modern browser. You can draw redaction boxes with your finger or a stylus.