How is this different from other online PDF tools?

Most online PDF tools send your files to a remote server for processing. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files are never transmitted to any server, which means your document content stays entirely under your control.

Are my PDF files uploaded?

No. Your files are read directly by your browser. Your files are never transmitted over the network. The tool works entirely within the browser tab you have open.

Can I verify that files are not uploaded?

Yes. Open your browser's developer tools (F12), go to the Network tab, and watch for any outgoing requests while using the tool. You will see no file data leave your browser. The site may record an anonymous page-view count, which never includes your files and can be disabled.

Does this tool work offline?

Yes, once the page has loaded the tool processes your files entirely in your browser; tool functionality needs no network connection. You can disconnect from the internet and continue using it.

What happens when I refresh the page?

Because nothing is stored on a server, refreshing the page clears your current session. Any files you had selected will need to be selected again.

Does this tool store my files?

No. Files are held in browser memory only for as long as the page is open. Closing or refreshing the page discards them. Nothing is written to disk by the tool, and nothing is sent to a server.

Can this tool unlock password-protected PDFs?

No. This tool does not attempt to remove or bypass PDF password protection. If you know the password, the Unlock PDF tool on this site can remove it locally; then this tool can process the file.

What technologies does this tool use?

This tool uses pdf.js to render redacted pages, the Canvas API to burn in the black boxes, and pdf-lib to rebuild the document — your files never leave your browser.

Does this tool use WebAssembly?

No. pdf.js and pdf-lib are plain JavaScript libraries — no WebAssembly is involved. Everything runs in client-side JavaScript within your browser.

Is the text under the black box really removed?

Yes. Pages you redact are replaced by a flat image that includes the black boxes, so the original text objects no longer exist in the file. Many other tools only draw a rectangle on top, which leaves the text copy-pasteable underneath.

How do I redact a PDF with this tool?

Pick a PDF with the file picker, and each page appears as a preview right in your browser. Drag across anything sensitive to draw a black box (use Undo last box to remove a mistake), then choose Apply and download the redacted file.

Why can't I redact pages beyond a certain point in a long document?

To keep memory manageable, the tool previews and lets you mark up to the first 40 pages, and it shows a notice when a document is longer than that. Pages past that limit are carried into the output untouched, so split very long files first if you need to redact later pages.

Why are the pages I redacted no longer searchable or selectable afterward?

Marked pages are re-rendered as flat images with the black boxes burned in, which is what removes the underlying text instead of just covering it. As a side effect those specific pages become pictures, so their remaining text is no longer selectable or searchable, while pages you didn't touch keep their original text.

Does the Redact PDF tool cost anything to use?

Redact PDF is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no cap on how many documents you redact, and it always will be. Because every step happens inside your own browser (pages are re-rendered as flat images with your black boxes burned in, then the file downloads directly to your device), your document never touches a server, which means there is nothing to charge you for.

Redact a PDF Privately — Truly Remove Content in Your Browser

Draw black boxes over sensitive areas on the page previews; redacted pages are re-rendered as flat images so the text underneath is removed from the file, then the PDF downloads locally.

Quick answer

What it does: Draw black boxes over sensitive areas on the page previews; redacted pages are re-rendered as flat images so the text underneath is removed from the file, then the PDF downloads locally.
Free?: Yes — 100% free, no account or sign-up.
Files uploaded?: No — everything is processed in your browser.
Works offline?: Yes — once the page has loaded.
Best for: An HR team blacks out employee salaries and ID numbers before sharing a staff roster with external auditors.
Good to know: Redacted pages become images: their remaining text is no longer selectable or searchable.

How it works

Select a PDF file from your device using the file picker.
The file is read into browser memory — no data leaves your browser.
Each page is shown as a preview; drag to draw black boxes over anything sensitive.
Pages with boxes are re-rendered as flat images with the boxes burned in — the original text and graphics on those pages are removed from the file, not hidden.
The redacted PDF is offered as a download; untouched pages are kept exactly as they were.

When to use this tool

An HR team blacks out employee salaries and ID numbers before sharing a staff roster with external auditors.
A lawyer redacts client names and case numbers from court documents before sharing them with opposing counsel.
A researcher removes participant identities from survey scans before publishing anonymised study results.
Redaction permanently removes the covered content and cannot be undone — review carefully and keep the original file before redacting.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from other online PDF tools?: Most online PDF tools send your files to a remote server for processing. This tool processes everything locally in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files are never transmitted to any server, which means your document content stays entirely under your control.
Are my PDF files uploaded?: No. Your files are read directly by your browser. Your files are never transmitted over the network. The tool works entirely within the browser tab you have open.
Can I verify that files are not uploaded?: Yes. Open your browser's developer tools (F12), go to the Network tab, and watch for any outgoing requests while using the tool. You will see no file data leave your browser. The site may record an anonymous page-view count, which never includes your files and can be disabled.
Does this tool work offline?: Yes, once the page has loaded the tool processes your files entirely in your browser; tool functionality needs no network connection. You can disconnect from the internet and continue using it.
What happens when I refresh the page?: Because nothing is stored on a server, refreshing the page clears your current session. Any files you had selected will need to be selected again.
Does this tool store my files?: No. Files are held in browser memory only for as long as the page is open. Closing or refreshing the page discards them. Nothing is written to disk by the tool, and nothing is sent to a server.
Can this tool unlock password-protected PDFs?: No. This tool does not attempt to remove or bypass PDF password protection. If you know the password, the Unlock PDF tool on this site can remove it locally; then this tool can process the file.
What technologies does this tool use?: This tool uses pdf.js to render redacted pages, the Canvas API to burn in the black boxes, and pdf-lib to rebuild the document — your files never leave your browser.
Does this tool use WebAssembly?: No. pdf.js and pdf-lib are plain JavaScript libraries — no WebAssembly is involved. Everything runs in client-side JavaScript within your browser.
Is the text under the black box really removed?: Yes. Pages you redact are replaced by a flat image that includes the black boxes, so the original text objects no longer exist in the file. Many other tools only draw a rectangle on top, which leaves the text copy-pasteable underneath.
How do I redact a PDF with this tool?: Pick a PDF with the file picker, and each page appears as a preview right in your browser. Drag across anything sensitive to draw a black box (use Undo last box to remove a mistake), then choose Apply and download the redacted file.
Why can't I redact pages beyond a certain point in a long document?: To keep memory manageable, the tool previews and lets you mark up to the first 40 pages, and it shows a notice when a document is longer than that. Pages past that limit are carried into the output untouched, so split very long files first if you need to redact later pages.
Why are the pages I redacted no longer searchable or selectable afterward?: Marked pages are re-rendered as flat images with the black boxes burned in, which is what removes the underlying text instead of just covering it. As a side effect those specific pages become pictures, so their remaining text is no longer selectable or searchable, while pages you didn't touch keep their original text.
Does the Redact PDF tool cost anything to use?: Redact PDF is completely free — no account, no sign-up, and no cap on how many documents you redact, and it always will be. Because every step happens inside your own browser (pages are re-rendered as flat images with your black boxes burned in, then the file downloads directly to your device), your document never touches a server, which means there is nothing to charge you for.