Redact PDF

Redact text and images in marked areas of a PDF. The content under each area is removed and replaced by a black box. Your file stays in your browser.

Choose a PDF

Choose file

Choose or drop one file

One PDF up to 20 MB and 100 pages. The PDF engine (about 5 MB) downloads on first use.

Choose one PDF to start.

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Try an example

Download sample PDF

Search for 148.50 to mark both totals, then drag an area over the signature image. In the downloaded PDF, 148.50 cannot be found or copied, the image area is black, and the heading and the Keep this line text remain.

What to expect

Redaction removes the text under each marked area, erases the pixels of images inside it and fills the area with black. Text only partly inside an area is cut at the character level: check the edges in the preview. Before a download is offered, the saved file is checked: no text can be extracted from any marked area.

Annotations and form fields on pages with marks are flattened into the page first, so they are no longer editable there. Document properties, bookmarks, attachments and text on unmarked pages are not changed; remove sensitive document properties separately. Search finds text only; scanned pages need drawn areas.

Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first. Up to 500 marked areas. Opening allows 45 seconds; redaction stops after two minutes. Rewriting a PDF invalidates digital signatures.

Engine licenses and source code

A practical guide

Redact PDF tool

Select a PDF.
Mark areas or search for a phrase.
Redact and download the checked copy.

Try this example

Redact 148.50 on both pages of the sample; the result keeps the heading, and 148.50 cannot be found or copied.

Before you start: Removed content cannot be recovered from the copy. Encrypted PDFs must be unlocked first; up to 20 MB and 100 pages.

Questions and answers

Is the text really gone, or only covered?: It is gone. The text under each area is deleted from the file and the image pixels inside it are erased. Before the download is offered, PDFResult checks the saved copy and confirms that no text can be extracted from any marked area. A black box drawn in a PDF viewer only covers text, and that text can still be copied.
Can I redact a scanned PDF?: Yes. Draw the areas by hand over the scan. If you want to search a scan, run it through Searchable PDF first, then redact.
Why did the signature become invalid?: Redaction rewrites the PDF, and any change to a signed PDF invalidates its digital signature. Redact first, then sign the final copy.
Does it work on a phone?: Yes. Open the page on your phone and drag a finger over what you want to hide. Nothing leaves your phone.
Are the document title and author also removed?: No. Document properties, bookmarks and attachments are not changed. Run Remove PDF Metadata on the redacted copy before you send it.

If it did not work

It asks for a password: Unlock the PDF first, then redact the unlocked copy.
It says the file is too big: The limit is 20 MB and 100 pages. Split a larger file and redact each part.
Search finds nothing: Search only finds real text, and a scan or an image has none. Draw the area by hand.
A letter at the edge is cut in half: Text that is partly inside an area is cut at the character level. Make the area a little larger and redact the original file again.
A form field cannot be edited any more: Annotations and form fields on marked pages are flattened into the page. Fill the form before you redact.