Redact PDF
Redact a PDF free — draw black boxes over sensitive areas and export a flattened copy where the hidden content is truly removed. Private, in-browser.
About the Redact PDF
Permanently hide sensitive information in a PDF. Draw black boxes over any names, numbers or areas you want to remove, then export. Crucially, the tool rebuilds each redacted page as a flattened image, so the covered content is genuinely gone — not just hidden behind a rectangle that could be deleted to reveal the text underneath.
This matters because a common redaction mistake is drawing a black shape over text that still exists in the file. Because these pages are rasterised on export, the underlying text and data beneath your boxes cannot be recovered.
The trade-off is that redacted pages become images, so their text is no longer selectable or searchable. Everything runs in your browser with pdf.js and pdf-lib — the file is never uploaded.
How to Use the Redact PDF
- 1Upload the PDF you want to redact.
- 2Drag to draw black boxes over any sensitive areas on each page.
- 3Review your redactions, removing any you don't want.
- 4Click Apply Redactions and download the flattened PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hidden text really removed?
Yes. On export, each redacted page is rebuilt as a flattened image with the black boxes baked in, so the text and data beneath them no longer exist in the file. This avoids the classic mistake of a removable black rectangle over live text.
Why is my redacted PDF no longer selectable text?
To guarantee the covered content is destroyed, redacted pages are rasterised into images. That removes the risk of recoverable text but means those pages can't be searched or copied afterwards. Keep the original if you still need selectable text elsewhere.
Can I redact just a few pages?
Yes. Draw boxes only on the pages that need it. Pages without any redactions are still rebuilt into the output so the whole document downloads as one file.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Rendering and redaction happen entirely in your browser, so the document never leaves your device — which is essential for sensitive files.