Protect PDF
Lock a PDF with a password so only the people you give it to can open it.
or drop it here · up to 50 MB, free
Bigger files? Pro converts files up to 500 MBOver the free limits: you can unlock the download from €1.99.
Working on it…
Your file is ready
Free · No sign-up · No watermark · Your files never leave your device
Protect PDF in 3 steps
- Select your PDF, or drop it on the box.
- Type a password and choose what is allowed after opening.
- Click Protect PDF and download the encrypted file.
How the password protects your PDF
The whole document is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest method in the PDF standard and the same one used by Adobe Acrobat. Without the password, the file cannot be opened or read in any PDF reader. Send the password through a different channel than the file, for example by text message when the PDF goes by email.
You can also limit what people can do after opening it: allow printing only, or block printing, copying and editing. Those limits are respected by Adobe Reader, Preview, Chrome and most readers, but they are a polite rule rather than real encryption, so the open password is what keeps the content private.
Frequently asked questions
How do I password protect a PDF for free?
Select the PDF, type a password and click Protect PDF. The encrypted copy downloads straight away and asks for that password whenever someone opens it. There is no sign-up and no watermark.
How strong is the protection?
The file uses AES-256 encryption from the PDF 2.0 standard. With a long password that is not easy to guess, such as four random words, the PDF cannot realistically be opened without it.
Can I stop people from copying or printing my PDF?
Yes. Choose Allow printing only, or No printing or copying, which also blocks editing. Most readers respect these limits, but some programs ignore them, so do not rely on them for secrets; rely on the password.
What if I forget the password?
The file cannot be recovered without it, by us or anyone else, because the password never leaves your device. Keep the original unprotected file, or store the password in a password manager.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Everything happens inside your browser on your own device, so contracts, statements and other private documents are never sent to us or stored anywhere. Once the page has loaded it keeps working even without an internet connection.