Protect PDF
Add a password to a PDF and choose what can be done with it, in your browser
Drop a PDF here
Or choose one, it's encrypted in your browser and never uploaded
How to password protect a PDF
- Drop your PDF on the page or choose it.
- Type the password to open it, twice; its strength is shown as you type.
- Choose what can be done once it's opened: printing, copying, editing.
- Save the protected PDF, and keep its password safe.
Questions
How strong is the protection?
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption PDFs have, the one Adobe Acrobat uses. Without the password its contents can't be read; how hard it is to guess depends on the password, so choose a long one.
Is my PDF or my password uploaded?
No. The PDF is encrypted by your browser, on your device; neither the file nor the password is sent anywhere.
What if I forget the password?
It can't be recovered or reset, by us or anyone: keep it somewhere safe, such as a password manager, or keep an unprotected copy.
Can I stop people from printing or copying my PDF?
Yes: turn off printing, copying or editing. Adobe Reader, browsers and most PDF apps respect these restrictions, but some programs ignore them, so a password to open it is what keeps a PDF private.
Will it open everywhere?
Yes: AES-256 PDFs open in Adobe Reader, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Preview and every current PDF app, which ask for the password.