Redact PDF

Permanently remove sensitive information from your PDF

Choose file

or drop your PDF here

Select a PDF to redact

Permanently black out names, numbers and other sensitive details in your PDF. Redacted content is removed, not just covered.

How it works

How to redact a PDF

01
Drop your PDF into the upload area, or click to browse.
02
Draw boxes over areas to hide, or search for text to redact.
03
Use quick searches for email addresses, phone numbers, dates or card numbers.
04
Choose a redaction color and download your redacted PDF.

Pages with redactions are rebuilt as images with the boxes burned in, so the hidden text cannot be copied, searched or recovered.

Search for a word or name, with a whole words option, or use built-in patterns to find emails, phone numbers, dates and card-like numbers.

Questions

Can redacted text be recovered?

No. Redacted pages are flattened into images with the boxes burned in, so the original text and content on those pages are gone.

Will I still be able to search the rest of the document?

Pages without redactions are kept unchanged. Pages with redactions become images, so run PDF OCR afterward if you need them searchable.

Can I use a color other than black?

Yes. Choose black, white, gray, red or a custom color.

How long does it take to redact a PDF?

Just a few seconds for most files. Drop in your file, click the button and download the result.

Is Redact PDF free?

Yes. It is free to use, with no sign-up and no watermarks added to your files.