Redact PDF
Permanently black out names, account numbers and other sensitive text. The text under each box is deleted, not just hidden.
Drag & drop a PDF file here
or click to browse
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Redactions Applied!
Your PDF is ready for download.
Your files stay private
All processing happens right here in your browser. Your PDFs are never uploaded to any server.
How to redact PDF
- Drop your PDF onto the page.
- Type a word or number and click Redact all matches, or drag on a page to draw boxes.
- Check every page, click Apply redactions, and download the redacted PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't a black rectangle in another editor enough?
Drawing a shape over text only covers it. The text is still in the file and can be copied, searched or revealed by deleting the shape. PDF Private turns each redacted page into an image with the box burned in, so the original text is gone. It then re-reads the result to confirm no text remains on those pages.
Does it work on scanned documents?
Yes, by drawing boxes. Scans have no text layer, so search can't find words in them, but boxes you draw are burned in the same way.
What changes in the redacted file?
Redacted pages become images, so their text can no longer be selected or searched. Pages without boxes stay as they were, unless you tick Flatten every page. Bookmarks and form fields are not kept.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. PDF Private runs entirely in your web browser. Your file is read into your device's memory, processed by code running on your device, and saved straight back to your downloads. It never travels over the internet, so we never see it. You can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the tool still works.