Protect PDF: Add a Password
Lock a PDF with a password. It never leaves your device, so the password isn't sent anywhere either.
- Private: no upload
- Free, no sign-up
- PDF tools in your browser
Drop the PDF you want to protect
One PDF at a time. Max 100 MB. Nothing is uploaded.
Choose fileWhy password-protect a PDF?
A PDF with an open password can't be read without it. That is useful for ID scans, contracts, payslips and anything you email. Because the file is processed in your browser, neither the PDF nor the password is uploaded.
You can also choose whether people may print, copy text or edit after opening. Those limits are honored by most viewers but not all, so treat the password itself as the real lock. If you forget it, it can't be recovered.
What next? To remove a password you know, use Unlock PDF. To shrink the file first, use Compress PDF.
How to add a password to a PDF
- 1
Add your PDF
Drop a PDF that is not already locked.
- 2
Choose a password
Type it twice. Use the eye button to check what you typed.
- 3
Set permissions
Allow or block printing, copying and editing.
- 4
Download
Save the protected copy. Your original is unchanged.
What the password and permissions do
| Setting | Effect | How reliable |
|---|---|---|
| Open password | The PDF can't be opened without it. | The real protection |
| Print off | Asks viewers to block printing. | Most viewers obey, not all |
| Copy off | Asks viewers to block copying text. | Most viewers obey, not all |
| Edit off | Asks editors to block changes. | Most tools obey, not all |
What you get with the protect pdf
Private
The PDF and the password stay in your browser.
Permissions
Choose whether people can print, copy or edit.
Original untouched
You get a new protected copy.
Password not saved
Passwords are never stored, even if settings are remembered.
Private by design
Your images are processed by code running in your own browser. They are not uploaded to our servers. You can check this yourself: open your browser’s Network tab while you work.
Fast, even offline-fast
Processing happens on your own device, so there is no upload wait and no queue. Settings update the results instantly.
Free, no sign-up
No watermarks, no account and no daily limit.
All popular formats
Works with JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, HEIC, GIF, BMP and SVG files up to 25 MB each.
Common ways people use it
Emailing ID scans
Lock the file, then send the password by another route.
Contracts and payslips
Keep sensitive documents private.
Cloud storage
Add a layer before uploading to shared folders.
Client deliverables
Share a document with one person only.
Frequently asked questions
+Can I recover a forgotten password?
No. Keep it somewhere safe.
+Can I protect a PDF that already has a password?
Remove the old password first with Unlock PDF.
+Is the password uploaded?
No. Everything runs in your browser.
+Are print and copy limits guaranteed?
No. Most viewers respect them, but some ignore them. The open password is what protects the file.
More free PDF and image tools
Unlock PDF
Enter the password once and get a copy that opens without it. Nothing is uploaded.
Merge PDFs
Join up to 20 PDFs and images in the order you choose, and take only the pages you need. Nothing leaves your device.
Compress PDF
Shrink scans and photo-heavy PDFs to fit an email or upload limit. Set a target like 1 MB. Nothing leaves your device.
Split PDF
Split one PDF into many by clicking pages or typing ranges. Nothing leaves your device.
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