Free PDF Redaction Tool - Permanently Hide Sensitive PDF Content
Draw black boxes over sensitive text, names, numbers, or images in your PDF. Permanent, irreversible redaction that runs entirely in your browser.
What is Redact PDF?
When sharing or publishing PDF documents that contain sensitive information — names, account numbers, social security numbers, confidential addresses, or proprietary data — redaction is essential. Our free PDF Redaction tool lets you permanently black out that information without any server uploads.
Select pages in the PDF, draw filled rectangles over the areas you want to hide, and apply. The tool uses pdf-lib to draw solid opaque black rectangles directly onto the page content, permanently covering the underlying information. Unlike simply drawing a black box in a PDF viewer, this method ensures the redacted content cannot be revealed by removing a layer or selecting beneath the box.
You can mark multiple areas across multiple pages before applying, and a preview lets you confirm all redaction boxes are placed correctly before committing the final download.
Since redaction is sensitive by nature — you're protecting private information — it's critical that your document never leaves your device. Our tool processes everything locally in your browser, guaranteeing complete privacy.
Powerful Features
Everything you need in one amazing tool
Draw Redaction Areas
Click and drag to define redaction boxes over sensitive areas on any page.
Multi-Page Redaction
Mark redaction areas across multiple pages before applying all at once.
Permanent Coverage
Solid black boxes are drawn into the PDF content layer. Content beneath cannot be recovered.
Preview Before Applying
Review all marked redaction areas before the final irreversible application.
Private Processing
Sensitive files never leave your device. Redaction runs in-browser with pdf-lib.
Instant Results
Redaction is applied immediately. No server wait time.
How It Works
Get started in 4 easy steps
Upload Your PDF
Select or drag your PDF. Pages render as interactive previews.
Mark Areas
Draw rectangles over each piece of sensitive information you want to hide.
Review & Confirm
Check all redaction marks across all pages. Adjust or remove any boxes if needed.
Apply & Download
Click Apply Redactions. pdf-lib burns black boxes into the PDF permanently.
Why Choose Our Redact PDF?
Stand out from the competition
Maximum Privacy
Sensitive document never leaves your browser. No server ever sees your content.
Genuine Redaction
Black rectangles are burned into the PDF content, not just overlaid visually.
Preview First
Confirm every redaction mark before irreversible application. No mistakes.
Multi-Page Support
Redact across as many pages as needed in a single operation.
Precise Area Selection
Draw redaction boxes with pixel-level precision over exactly the content you want hidden.
Free & Zero Compromise
Completely free and completely private. No account, no upload, no risk to your data.
Perfect For
See how others are using this tool
Legal Documents
Redact personally identifiable information before filing or sharing legal documents.
Medical Records
Hide patient names, ID numbers, or diagnoses before sharing medical PDFs.
Financial Statements
Remove account numbers and private financial data before submitting statements.
GDPR / Compliance
Redact personal data from documents to comply with privacy regulations.
HR Document Redaction
Remove salary details and personal data before sharing HR forms with third-party reviewers.
Research Publication
Redact participant names and identifiers before submitting anonymized research PDFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Redact PDF
Yes. The black boxes are drawn directly into the PDF page content using pdf-lib. The original content beneath is not accessible in the output file.
Once applied and downloaded, redactions are permanent. The output PDF cannot be unredacted. Always keep a copy of the original before redacting.
No. Everything happens in your browser. Sensitive files are never transmitted to any server.
Yes. Redaction boxes cover any content — text, images, or graphic elements — in the selected area.
Black by default, matching standard legal redaction practice. The colour is configurable to white if needed for certain document types.
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