Redact PDF — Black Out Sensitive Text
Black out sensitive information in a PDF before you share it — right in your browser. Your file never leaves your device, and there are no watermarks or sign-ups.
Drop PDF here or click to browse
PDF files only
The data you’re hiding never leaves your device
Nothing to delete later
Secure connection
Works in every modern browser
How it works
- 1
Add your PDF
Drop the PDF onto the page or click to browse and select it.
- 2
Mark what to hide
Draw black boxes over the names, numbers, or text you want covered.
- 3
Redact & download
Press Redact — the marked areas are blacked out and the file downloads from your browser.
Why use this tool
Hide sensitive details
Cover names, numbers, or any private text before a document goes out.
Private by design
Redaction runs locally in your browser — your file is never uploaded.
Mark what to remove
Draw over the parts you want gone, right on the page.
No watermark
Only your redactions are added — nothing else is stamped onto the page.
Free & unlimited
No account, no trial, no per-file charges — redact as many PDFs as you need.
Works on any device
Phone, tablet, or computer — it runs in the browser you already have.
What does redacting a PDF do?
Redacting covers sensitive information in a document with a solid mark so it cannot be read when you share the file. You draw black boxes over the names, account numbers, addresses, or any private text you need to hide, and the tool applies them to the page. It is how you share a document that is mostly fine to send but contains a few details that must stay private. Because this tool runs entirely in your browser, the redaction happens on your own device and the file — including the very information you are hiding — is never uploaded.
When should you redact a PDF?
Redact whenever a document needs to be shared but parts of it should not be seen. People black out account and card numbers on statements before sending them, hide personal details on an ID or form, remove names and addresses from records shared for reference, and cover salary or pricing figures in a document going to a wider audience. Lawyers, HR teams, and anyone handling personal data redact routinely so a file can be shared without exposing what must remain confidential.
How to get the best results
Zoom in and go through the document carefully, because sensitive details can appear in more than one place — a number in a header, a name in a footer, an address repeated on several pages. Cover the whole of each sensitive item, not just part of it. Review every page before saving, and open the finished file to confirm nothing shows through. Keep the original unredacted document securely for your own records, since the redacted copy is the one you share, not your master.
Limitations to be aware of
A redaction mark hides what is underneath it visually, which is what most sharing needs. For the highest-stakes legal disclosures, organisations sometimes require redaction that also strips the underlying text data, and specialised software is built for that standard — if you are handling that kind of material, confirm the requirement. For everyday privacy — covering numbers, names, and details before sharing a document — drawing solid marks over them is the practical, effective approach, especially done locally where the file never leaves your device.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is missing a copy of the sensitive detail elsewhere in the document — check headers, footers, and every page. Another is covering only part of a number or name, leaving enough visible to guess the rest; cover it fully. People also sometimes share the original by accident instead of the redacted copy — name the files clearly and double-check which one you attach. Finally, keep the unredacted original stored securely, separate from the shared version.
Using it on mobile and desktop
On a computer, redact a statement or record thoroughly before emailing it, with room to zoom in and check every page. On a phone, quickly black out a card number or personal detail before sending a document in chat; everything runs locally, so nothing is uploaded. Because there is no app to install, the same link works on every device, and the redacted PDF opens the same for whoever receives it.
Why redact here instead of another site?
Redaction is, by definition, about hiding sensitive information — which makes uploading the file to a stranger’s server the one thing you least want to do, yet most online redaction tools require it. This tool never uploads your file; the redaction happens inside your browser, so the private details you are covering never leave your device at any point. There are no watermarks, no account, and no limit on how many files you redact. For protecting sensitive data, local is the only choice that makes sense.
How it compares
| Feature | This tool | Typical online PDF tools |
|---|---|---|
| File uploaded to a server | Never — redacted in your browser | Usually uploaded |
| Cover any area | Yes | Yes |
| Sensitive data stays on device | Always | No — uploaded |
| Watermark on output | No | Sometimes |
| Account or sign-up | Not required | Often required |
| Price | Free | Free / paid tiers |
Features
Black-box redaction
Cover any area of a page with a solid mark.
Mark visually
Draw directly over the content you want hidden.
Multiple areas
Redact several parts across one or many pages.
Keeps the rest readable
Only the marked areas are covered; everything else stays as-is.
No installation
Nothing to download or install — it works on the web page.
Runs on your device
Redaction happens locally — the file is never uploaded.
Arabic & RTL friendly
Full interface in eight languages, including right-to-left Arabic.
Secure by default
Served over HTTPS, with no file tracking and no third-party upload.
Who uses it
Anyone sharing statements
Black out account and card numbers before sending a financial document.
Legal & HR teams
Hide names and personal details on records shared for reference.
Businesses
Cover pricing or salary figures in a document going to a wider audience.
Everyday users
Hide a personal detail on an ID or form before sharing it — on their own device.
Frequently Asked Questions
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