Redact PDF
Permanently remove sensitive text and images from a PDF. The content is deleted, not just covered.
Redact a PDF
Drag and drop a PDF here, or choose a file from your device.
Processing happens in your browser. Your PDF is not uploaded.Upload a PDF to begin.
How to redact a PDF
- Choose the PDF you want to redact.
- Drag a box over every piece of text or image you want to remove. Use the arrows to move between pages.
- Click Redact PDF and download the redacted file.
Real redaction, not a black box on top
Many tools only draw a black rectangle over the text. The text is still inside the file, and anyone can copy it out or delete the rectangle. This tool rebuilds every page you mark as a picture with the boxes burned in, so the words under a box no longer exist anywhere in the file. Before the download is offered, the finished file is opened again and checked to confirm that no text is left on the redacted pages.
Frequently asked questions
Can the redacted text be recovered?
No. The original content of each redacted page is not carried into the new file, so there is nothing under the black boxes to recover.
Why can I no longer select text on a redacted page?
A redacted page becomes a picture of the page. That is what makes the removal permanent. Pages you did not mark are left exactly as they were, with selectable text.
Does it remove the same word on other pages?
No. Only the areas you mark are removed. If a name or number appears in several places, mark each one.
What else is removed?
The document's title and author details, bookmarks, attachments and form data are not carried into the redacted file, because sensitive text often hides there. Links on redacted pages are removed too.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The PDF is redacted in your browser and never leaves your device.