Skip to content
Your files stay on your device

File processing runs in your browser. Documents are not uploaded to our servers. The site may download processing engines and send usage or feedback events without file contents.

How we handle your data

Laboratory · On your device

Redact PDF

Permanently black out text and images in areas you mark or in every match of a search, on your device. Hidden text under the black boxes is removed. Files stay in your browser.

Engine:PDFium

Choose a PDF

One PDF up to 20 MB and 100 pages.

Choose one PDF to start.

Try an example

Download sample PDF

Search for 148.50 to mark both totals, then drag an area over the signature image. In the downloaded PDF, 148.50 cannot be found or copied, the image area is black, and the heading and the Keep this line text remain.

What to expect

Redaction removes the text under each marked area, erases the pixels of images inside it and fills the area with black. Text only partly inside an area is cut at the character level: check the edges in the preview. Before a download is offered, the saved file is checked: no text can be extracted from any marked area.

Annotations and form fields on pages with marks are flattened into the page first, so they are no longer editable there. Document properties, bookmarks, attachments and text on unmarked pages are not changed; remove sensitive document properties separately. Search finds text only; scanned pages need drawn areas.

Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first. Up to 500 marked areas. Opening allows 45 seconds; redaction stops after two minutes. Rewriting a PDF invalidates digital signatures.

Engine licenses and source code