Protect a PDF with a password

Add a password so only the right people can open it.

or drag and drop PDFs here

PDF documents

Your files stay on your device

How it works

1Choose your PDF.
2Type a password and repeat it.
3If you like, tick the limits for printing, copying text or editing.
4Select Protect PDF and download the locked file. Store the password somewhere safe.

Password to open the PDF: Anyone who wants to open the file must type this. At least 4 characters; a longer phrase is much harder to guess.
Do not allow printing, copying, editing: Asks PDF readers to disable these actions. Common readers respect them, but some programs ignore them. The password is the real protection.

This tool runs in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.

Is my file or password uploaded?

No. The PDF is encrypted in your browser. Neither the file nor the password is sent anywhere.

How strong is the protection?

The file is encrypted with AES-256, a modern standard. Strength still depends on your password. A short or common one can be guessed.

What if I forget the password?

It cannot be recovered. We never see it. Keep it in a password manager and keep an unprotected copy somewhere safe.

Can I remove the password later?

Yes. Use Unlock PDF with the password.

Will every PDF reader open it?

Current versions of Adobe Reader, Preview, Chrome, Edge and Firefox open AES-256 files. Very old software may not.

Do the printing and copying limits really stop people?

They stop people using well-behaved readers. Someone with the password, or special software, can get around them. Do not rely on them alone.