Redact PDF
Permanently remove sensitive information
Drop your PDF file here
or click to browse
Browser Processing
Files processed locally in your browser
Auto Delete
Files automatically deleted after processing
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Works Everywhere
Any device, any browser, no installation
How to Redact a PDF
- 1
Select or drag your PDF file into the upload area.
- 2
Mark the text or areas you want to permanently remove.
- 3
Apply redactions and download the redacted PDF.
Why Redact PDF Documents?
Redaction permanently removes sensitive information before sharing documents. Unlike simply covering text with black boxes, true redaction deletes the underlying data completely.
What to Redact
- Personal Data: Names, addresses, SSNs, phone numbers.
- Financial Info: Account numbers, credit cards, salary details.
- Medical Records: Patient names, diagnoses, treatment details.
- Business Secrets: Proprietary data, pricing, internal discussions.
Redaction vs Hiding
Simply placing a black box over text doesn't remove the data - it can often be selected, copied, or revealed. Our redaction tool permanently erases the content from the PDF file structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PDF redaction?
PDF redaction permanently removes sensitive information from a document. Unlike covering text with black boxes, true redaction completely deletes the underlying data so it cannot be recovered.
Is the redaction permanent?
Yes, once you download the redacted PDF, the removed information is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered, copied, or revealed by any means.
What can I redact from a PDF?
You can redact text, images, and entire areas of a page. Common uses include removing names, social security numbers, addresses, financial data, and confidential information.
Is PDF redaction free?
Yes, our PDF redaction tool is completely free with no registration required.
Is this tool GDPR/HIPAA compliant?
Our tool processes files in your browser for privacy. For compliance purposes, always verify your redaction requirements with your legal or compliance team.
What's the difference between redaction and whiteout?
Whiteout covers content visually but the data may still exist underneath. Redaction permanently removes the data - it's completely erased from the file.
Can I redact across multiple pages?
Yes, navigate through pages and add redaction areas to any page. All redactions are applied when you click Apply Redactions.
How do I know what to redact?
Look for personally identifiable information (PII) like names, SSNs, phone numbers, addresses, account numbers, and any confidential business data.
Can I preview before finalizing?
Yes, review all marked redaction areas before applying. Once applied and downloaded, the redaction is permanent.
Will redaction affect searchability?
Redacted text is completely removed and will not appear in searches. Only the visible, non-redacted content remains searchable.