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Protect PDF

Add a password to your PDF (AES-256) or remove a password, right in your browser.

🆓 Free ✍️ No sign-up 🔒 100% Private
Drag & drop a PDF file here, or click to select
Your privacy matters

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.

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

Frequently asked questions

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.

Password protection that actually protects

This tool encrypts your PDF with AES-256, the standard used for sensitive documents. Once protected, the file cannot be opened without the password. Not by us, and not by anyone who finds the file later. All of it happens in your browser, so the unprotected original never leaves your device.

Two passwords, two jobs

The user password is what someone types to open the file. The owner password controls what can be done with it, such as printing and copying. If you leave the owner password blank, it uses the same password as the open password. For most sharing, a single strong open password is enough.

A lost password is final

There is no backdoor and no reset link. Before you send a protected file, open it once with the password to confirm it works, and keep an unprotected copy somewhere safe. A password you cannot remember locks you out exactly as it locks everyone else out.

More questions

What encryption is used?

AES-256.

What is the difference between the user and owner passwords?

The user password opens the file. The owner password controls permissions such as printing and copying. If you leave the owner password blank, it uses the same password as the open password.

What if I forget the password?

It cannot be recovered. Keep an unprotected copy somewhere safe before you protect a file.

Can I remove a password?

Yes. Use the Unlock mode on the same page and enter the current password.

Read our step by step guide: How to Password Protect a PDF Online Free.