Free PDF Redaction Tool — Permanently Remove Sensitive Content from PDFs
Draw custom redaction boxes over sensitive text, names, ID numbers, or images in any PDF. Set custom color, opacity, and label text. Strip metadata on save. 100% browser-based — your file never leaves your device.
Upload a PDF, draw redaction boxes over sensitive text, images, or data on any page, then click Apply. Boxes are burned permanently into the PDF using pdf-lib — the hidden content cannot be recovered from the output file. Customize box color, opacity, and label text. Strip embedded metadata on save. Everything runs in your browser with no file uploads.
What is Redact PDF?
Redacting a PDF means permanently hiding sensitive information so it cannot be read, copied, or recovered — not just visually obscuring it. Our free PDF Redaction tool lets you do this entirely inside your browser with no file uploads, no account required, and no risk to your data.
Draw filled redaction boxes over any area on any page — covering sensitive text, account numbers, social security numbers, addresses, signatures, or images. Each box can be customised: choose black or white (or any custom color), adjust transparency with the opacity slider to blend into the document, add a label such as "REDACTED" or "CONFIDENTIAL" positioned exactly where you want it within the box, and strip the document's embedded metadata (author, title, creation date) on save.
The tool uses pdf-lib to burn solid rectangles directly into the PDF page content layer. This is genuine, permanent redaction — the hidden content is not recoverable from the output file by any viewer, editor, or forensic tool. It is not an overlay or annotation that can be toggled off.
Mark redaction areas across as many pages as needed before applying. The live canvas preview shows exactly how the final PDF will look. Undo the last box on any page if you mis-draw, then download the redacted PDF with one click.
Whether you need to comply with GDPR, HIPAA, legal discovery requirements, or simply share a document without exposing private details, this tool gives you precise, reliable PDF redaction at no cost.
Powerful Features
Everything you need in one amazing tool
Draw Redaction Boxes
Click and drag to define precise redaction areas over sensitive text, images, or data on any page.
Custom Color & Opacity
Choose black, white, or any custom color for redaction boxes. Adjust opacity to blend transparently into the document.
Redaction Label Text
Display a custom label — such as "REDACTED" or "CONFIDENTIAL" — inside each box, with 9-point position control.
Multi-Page Redaction
Mark redaction areas across all pages in a single session and apply everything at once.
Strip PDF Metadata
Automatically remove embedded metadata — author name, creation date, title, and software info — from the saved PDF.
Permanent Content Removal
Redaction boxes are burned into the PDF content layer using pdf-lib. Hidden content cannot be recovered from the output file.
Live Canvas Preview
See every redaction mark live on the page canvas. Undo individual boxes before committing the final download.
100% Browser-Based
Your PDF never leaves your device. No server upload, no account, no data retention.
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. Redaction boxes are drawn directly into the PDF page content layer using pdf-lib — not placed as an annotation or overlay. The content beneath is not accessible in the output file by any viewer, editor, or PDF forensic tool.
No. Once applied and downloaded, redaction is irreversible. Before applying, you can undo individual boxes on any page. Always keep a copy of the original file.
No. All processing happens entirely in your browser using the pdf-lib JavaScript library. Your file is never transmitted to any server and never leaves your device.
Yes. Redaction boxes cover all PDF content — text, images, illustrations, signatures, and graphic elements — in the selected area.
Yes. Black is the default (standard for legal redaction), but you can switch to white or choose any custom color using the color picker in the toolbar.
Opacity controls how transparent the redaction box is. At 100% the box is fully opaque (standard redaction). Lowering opacity makes the box semi-transparent, useful for subtle annotations or watermark-style overlays.
You can display a text label — such as "REDACTED", "CONFIDENTIAL", or a custom word — inside each redaction box. The label is burned into the PDF along with the box. You can position the label in any of 9 positions within the box.
PDFs embed hidden metadata such as the author name, original file name, creation date, and software used. Stripping metadata removes this information from the saved file — important for privacy and compliance when sharing documents externally.
Yes. Navigate between pages, draw redaction boxes on each, and apply everything at once. All redaction areas across all pages are applied in a single download.
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