Skip to content
Your files stay on your device

File processing runs in your browser. Documents are not uploaded to our servers. The site may download processing engines and send usage or feedback events without file contents.

How we handle your data

Redact PDF

Redact PDF text and images: black out areas you mark or every match of a search. Covered text is removed for good, on your device. Your file stays in your browser.

Choose a PDF

One PDF up to 20 MB and 100 pages. The PDF engine (about 5 MB) downloads on first use.

Choose one PDF to start.

Try an example

Download sample PDF

Search for 148.50 to mark both totals, then drag an area over the signature image. In the downloaded PDF, 148.50 cannot be found or copied, the image area is black, and the heading and the Keep this line text remain.

What to expect

Redaction removes the text under each marked area, erases the pixels of images inside it and fills the area with black. Text only partly inside an area is cut at the character level: check the edges in the preview. Before a download is offered, the saved file is checked: no text can be extracted from any marked area.

Annotations and form fields on pages with marks are flattened into the page first, so they are no longer editable there. Document properties, bookmarks, attachments and text on unmarked pages are not changed; remove sensitive document properties separately. Search finds text only; scanned pages need drawn areas.

Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first. Up to 500 marked areas. Opening allows 45 seconds; redaction stops after two minutes. Rewriting a PDF invalidates digital signatures.

Engine licenses and source code

A practical guide

Redact private details for good.

  1. Open the PDF and search for the text, or draw an area over an image.
  2. Review every marked area before you apply the redaction.
  3. Download the PDF and try to search and copy the redacted text.

Try this example

Redact an account number in every match on a 6-page statement and draw a box over a signature image, then search the result for the number.

Before you start: Redaction is permanent: text under the black boxes is removed and cannot be restored. Check every page, since only the marked areas are changed.