Protect PDF

Add a password to PDF files.

Import your PDFs

PDF
Merge PDF Combine PDF files and images in the order you need. Split PDF Split a PDF into separate files. Extract PDF Pages Save chosen pages as a new PDF. PDF to Images Save PDF pages as JPG, PNG or WebP. Images to PDF Turn images into one PDF. Convert to PDF Turn documents, spreadsheets, presentations and images into PDF.

How to protect a PDF

Docs

Drop one or more PDFs, or select them.

Protect PDF options

AES-256

Every file is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption PDF readers support.

Many files

Every file gets the same password, and you download them together as a ZIP.

Permissions

Turn off printing, copying or editing. Readers that respect PDF permissions then refuse them.

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Permissions password

Required when printing, copying or editing is restricted. Keep this separate password to lift those restrictions in a PDF reader.

Nothing else changes

Pages, text, links, bookmarks and form fields stay as they were.

Not kept

The password fields are emptied after each run. The password is never saved, not even in this browser.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a password to a PDF?

Drop your PDF, type the password twice and select Protect. Then select Download.

What if I forget the password?

Then the file cannot be opened. Nobody can recover it, us included, so keep the password somewhere safe.

Do permissions stop everyone?

No. Printing, copying and editing limits are honoured by mainstream readers, but some programs ignore them. The open password is what keeps a file closed.

Are my files or passwords uploaded?

No. The files are protected in your browser and never leave your device. The password is not sent or stored anywhere.

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Is it free?

Yes. No account, no usage limits and no watermark.

Technical details

Processing

qpdf 12.4.2, compiled to WebAssembly, encrypts each file in a background worker in your browser with AES-256 (PDF security handler revision 6).

Permissions

With Printing off the file grants no printing. With Copying off, no copying of text or images. With Editing off, no changes, notes, form filling or page assembly.

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What stays

A file you did not change on the desk is encrypted as it is. A file whose pages you moved, turned or removed is written again first.