Protect PDF
Password-protect a PDF file.
Encryption runs entirely in your browser using the PDF standard security handler (AES-256), the same scheme Adobe Acrobat and other PDF readers use. Your file and password are never uploaded.
- Free — no signup, no account, no watermark
- Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded to a server
- Works on mobile, tablet and desktop
- Instant — results appear as soon as you enter your input
Why this is private
- Encryption runs entirely in your browser using the PDF standard security handler (AES-256), the same scheme Adobe Acrobat and other PDF readers use. Your file and password are never uploaded.
- Open your browser's DevTools → Network tab while using this tool — you won't see a request carrying your input, because it never leaves your device.
- Nothing you enter is uploaded to a server or shared with us — the processing happens entirely on your device.
Overview
Adds AES-256 password protection to a PDF using the PDF standard security handler — the file requires the password to open in any conforming PDF reader.
How to use it
- 1Drop in a PDF.
- 2Set and confirm a password, and choose whether to allow printing and copying.
- 3Click Protect PDF, then download the encrypted copy.
Tips
- There's no password recovery — if you lose the password, nobody (including us) can open the file for you. Keep it somewhere safe.
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
- How to convert images to PDF (JPG, PNG, phone photos)Turn one or several JPG or PNG images into a single PDF, in the right page order — what the tool does, the steps, and the common snags.
- How to merge PDF files into oneCombine two or more PDFs into a single file, in the order you choose — the steps, what merging does to quality and size, and how to handle pages and images.
- How to compress a PDF to under 1 MBA 1 MB upload limit is common on application portals. Here's what's realistic, how to get there, and when 1 MB simply isn't possible without losing the text.
- How to compress a PDF for email attachmentsGmail, Outlook and most providers cap attachments around 20–25 MB. Here's how to get a PDF under the limit — or send it without shrinking it at all.
Related tools
All pdf toolsUnlock PDFRemove a known password from a PDF you own.Compress PDFReduce PDF file size — rasterize pages, or recompress images while keeping text selectable.Merge PDFCombine multiple PDF files into a single document.Split PDFSplit a PDF into separate files by page range, one file per page, or a maximum file size.
Ready to use Protect PDF?
Protect PDF