Password protect a PDF
Lock your PDF with a password and AES-256 encryption, the strongest standard PDF encryption. You can also block editing, copying text or printing.
or drop it here ·
- ✓ Free download, no account
- ✓ No card, no trial
- ✓ No watermark
- ✓ Never uploaded
- ✓ Works on phone and computer
How to password protect a PDF
- Choose your PDF.
- Click Protect.
- Type a password twice, and tick what to block: editing, copying or printing.
- Name the file and click Download protected PDF.
Good to know
The password cannot be recoveredNobody can open the file without it, including us. Keep it in a password manager.
Blocks need a respectful viewerAdobe Reader, Chrome and Mac Preview respect the blocks on editing, copying and printing. Some free tools ignore them. The open password itself cannot be bypassed.
Your password never leaves your deviceEncryption happens in your browser.
Questions people ask
How secure is the protection?
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256. A strong password of 12 or more characters makes it very hard to open without the password.
Can I protect without an open password?
Yes. Leave the password empty and tick the blocks you want. The file opens normally but cannot be edited, copied or printed in standard viewers.
Can I remove the password later?
Yes. Open the PDF in the editor with the password and download it without protection.
More free PDF tools
Edit PDF textClick any line in your PDF and change the words.Delete or move textRemove a line or paragraph from your PDF for good, or drag it to a better place.Fill PDF formsType into form fields, tick boxes, choose options and sign.Sign a PDFDraw your signature with a mouse, trackpad or finger, or type your name in a handwriting font.Add text to PDFClick anywhere on the page and type.White out PDFDrag a white box over anything you want to hide on the page, then type new words on top.Highlight PDFDrag over the lines that matter to mark them in yellow, then download a PDF that anyone can read with your highlights in place..Add image to PDFInsert a logo, company stamp, photo or scanned signature into your PDF.Merge PDFsCombine several PDFs into one file, in the order you pick them.Rotate PDFTurn sideways or upside down pages the right way up.Delete PDF pagesRemove blank pages, extra copies or pages you do not want to share.Unlock PDFRemove the restrictions that stop you editing, filling or printing a PDF, or remove the open password from a file you have the password for..Free pdfFiller alternativeFilled in a form and then got asked for an account and a card before you could download it? Here you fill the same form and download it free.All PDF toolsOpen the full editor with every tool at once.