Redact a PDF

Permanently black out sensitive text or images before sharing.

Accepts PDFOutputs PDFUp to 1 fileNo sign-up required

Drag a file here, or click to browseSupports PDF · up to 1 file · 50MB per file

How it works

1. Upload your file

Drag and drop or choose a PDF file from your device. Everything is checked against its real file type before processing starts.

2. We process it

Your file runs through an isolated job dedicated to Redact PDF, with clear progress so you always know what stage it's at.

3. Download the result

Get your finished PDF file with one click. The original upload and the result are deleted automatically afterward.

What is Redact PDF?

Redact PDF permanently blacks out sensitive areas of a PDF. After drawing the boxes, each page is rebuilt as an image, so the text underneath is genuinely gone and cannot be copied or extracted.

Common uses

Hiding personal details. Black out account numbers, addresses or ID numbers.
Legal and compliance. Remove confidential content before disclosure.
Sharing excerpts. Publish a document with sensitive passages removed.
HR and finance. Hide salaries or names in shared records.

Redact PDF at a glance
Input	One PDF
How you choose	Draw boxes over the content to remove
Result	Boxes burned in; underlying text is destroyed
Trade-off	Pages become images; text is no longer selectable
Size limit	50 MB per file
Sign-up	Not required

Tips for best results

Cover the whole sensitive area, including line edges, with margin.
Open the result and try selecting the text to confirm it is gone.
Keep your unredacted original somewhere safe.
Run OCR PDF afterwards if you need searchable text in the safe parts.

Guides for this tool

How to redact a PDF properly (so the text is really gone)

Your file stays private

Redact PDF runs in an isolated processing job. Your upload and the generated result are deleted automatically after your download window ends — we don't keep copies, and download links are random, single-purpose, and expire.

Frequently asked questions

Is the black box just drawn over the text?

No. After drawing boxes the page is flattened to an image, so the text beneath is actually removed.

Can redacted text be recovered?

Not from the redacted file; the underlying text layer no longer exists.

Why is text not selectable afterwards?

Pages are rebuilt as images to guarantee removal. Use OCR PDF if you need text again.

Does it work on scanned PDFs?

Yes. You place boxes over the image areas you want hidden.

Is it free?

Yes, free with no sign-up.

Do I need to sign up to use Redact PDF?

No — this tool works without creating an account. There is no sign-up option at all right now.

What file types does Redact PDF accept?

Redact PDF accepts PDF files and produces a PDF result, up to 1 file per job.

Will my formatting or content be preserved?

Your document's content and formatting are untouched — this tool only changes access to the file, not what's in it.

What happens to my file afterward?

Your file is processed in an isolated job and deleted automatically, along with the result, once your download window ends.

Is the black box just drawn over the text, or is the text actually removed?

Actually removed. Redact PDF flattens the page to a fresh image after blacking out the area you select, so there's no hidden text layer left underneath that could be copied or extracted back out.