Redact PDF
Black out sensitive parts so the hidden text is really gone from the file.
Drop the PDF to redact
or select to choose from your device
Files are processed on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
How to use Redact PDF
- Add the PDF.
- Drag a box over each name, number or paragraph that must be removed. Move, resize or delete boxes as needed, on any page.
- Select Redact and download, then open the result and check every page before you share it.
How it works
Many "redactions" fail because a black rectangle is simply drawn on top: the text is still in the file and can be copied, searched or revealed by deleting the rectangle. This tool does it properly. Every page that has a redaction box is rebuilt as a picture with the boxes burned in, and the original page, with its text, is discarded. Nothing under a box exists in the new file.
The trade-off is deliberate: on redacted pages the remaining text is part of the picture, so it can no longer be selected or searched (run OCR PDF afterwards if you need that back). Pages without boxes are copied unchanged. The document title and author are removed as well, since metadata often leaks names.
The PDF is opened, changed and saved by your own browser. It is not uploaded, so contracts, IDs, bank and medical documents stay on your device.
Example
A bank statement to send as proof of address: box the account number and the transactions on page 1, redact, and the downloaded PDF shows black bars where no text can be recovered.
Frequently asked questions
Is the redacted text really removed?
Yes. Redacted pages are replaced by an image in which the marked areas are solid black, and the original page content is not copied into the new file. Our automated test confirms that a PDF text extractor finds no text on a redacted page.
Why can I no longer select text on redacted pages?
Because turning the page into a picture is what guarantees that nothing hidden survives. Only pages you marked are affected.
Does it also remove hidden data?
On redacted pages, yes: hidden text, layers, comments and form values on those pages are gone. The title and author fields are cleared. Pages you did not mark keep their content, so mark something on every page that holds sensitive data.
Can I use white instead of black?
Not at present: black bars make it obvious to the reader that something was removed, which is the accepted convention.
Should I trust any tool with highly sensitive documents?
Always check the result yourself: try to select and search for the removed words in the output. For legal or classified material, follow your organisation’s redaction procedure.
Limitations
- Redacted pages become images: their text is no longer selectable (other pages are unchanged).
- It does not find sensitive words automatically; you mark each area.
- Embedded files and bookmarks elsewhere in the document are not examined.
- One PDF at a time.
- Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first with Unlock PDF.
Last reviewed November 9, 2026. How we build and test tools.