How to password protect a PDF

Add a password to your PDF or remove one, entirely in your browser. Your file never leaves your device.

Choose Protect to add a password, or Unlock to remove one, then select your PDF file.
For protection, enter the password people will need to open the PDF. You can also set an optional owner password for full control.
Click the button and download the result. The password is never sent anywhere.

Is this tool really free?

Yes. Every tool on this site is free, with no account or sign-up required.

Are my files or passwords uploaded to your servers?

No. All processing happens in your browser, including the encryption itself. Your files and passwords never leave your device.

What happens if I forget the password?

A forgotten password cannot be recovered, not even by us, because the encryption happens only on your device. Keep your password somewhere safe.

Encryption engine: QPDF (Apache-2.0), running as WebAssembly in your browser.

Protect PDF