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Apply redaction bars to sensitive PDF content areas.
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Redact PDF lets you place bars over sensitive content, names, numbers, confidential sections, to hide them before sharing a document. But redaction has a critical subtlety that this tool is upfront about.
A black bar drawn over text covers it visually without, by itself, deleting the text underneath, which can often still be selected, copied, or otherwise recovered. This exact mistake has embarrassed major organisations who released 'redacted' documents whose hidden text was trivially copyable. So a visible bar is necessary but not sufficient.
The fix is flattening. After placing your bars, flatten the document (via Flatten PDF) so the bars merge into the page image and no separate text layer survives beneath them, then verify by trying to select or search the hidden text. If nothing selectable remains, the redaction is sound. This flatten-and-verify step is essential, not optional, and for legally-critical work, specialised redaction software that actively scrubs content is the safest choice.
Redaction runs in your browser, so your sensitive document never leaves your device, vital when protecting confidential data is the entire purpose. Pair it with Flatten PDF (to finalise) and Remove Pages (to drop whole sensitive pages).
| Price | Free, no signup, no paywall, no watermark |
|---|---|
| Works on | Any modern browser: desktop, tablet, and mobile |
| Processing | In your browser, files never leave your device |
| Account required | None |
| Category | PDF Tools |
Upload the PDF
Draw redaction bars over the content to hide
Flatten the document so the bars become permanent (important)
Download the redacted PDF
Applies redaction bars over sensitive content areas in a PDF
Cover names, numbers, or confidential sections
Place black bars where needed
Runs in your browser, your document is never uploaded
Flatten for true redaction (see guidance)
Free, with no limit
Hiding sensitive information before sharing a document
Covering personal data, account numbers, or names
Redacting confidential sections of a contract or report
Preparing a document for limited distribution
ALWAYS flatten after redacting (use Flatten PDF), bars alone leave the hidden text recoverable
Verify by trying to select/search the hidden text; if nothing's selectable, it's properly redacted
For legally-critical redaction, use specialised redaction software designed to scrub content
Common questions about this tool, its workflow, and what to expect before you use it.
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Fill existing PDF form fields or draw your own (text, checkbox, dropdown, radio, signature and date), then download an interactive or flattened PDF.
Try itFree online PDF editor: edit existing text, highlight and mark up, fill forms, sign, redact, organize pages, and export to PDF, Word, Excel, or image.
Try itCheck a PDF for tags, alt text, headings, table headers, and language against WCAG criteria.
Try itReduce PDF file size without losing quality.
Try itCombine multiple PDF files into one document, with an optional compress & merge mode.
Try itExtract pages from a PDF into separate files.
Try itConvert PDF pages to JPG, PNG, or WebP images with adjustable DPI.
Try itConvert PDF to an editable Word (DOCX) document with paragraphs, headings, lists and real tables preserved, entirely in your browser.
Try itWriting a roundup or tutorial? Embed the live Redact PDF so readers use it right on your page, or drop in a ready-made card that links to it. Free to use, always.
Preview
Apply redaction bars to sensitive PDF content areas.
Use Redact PDF free →Live tool (iframe)
Readers use the real, working tool right on your page, with a small credit line underneath.
Embed card (HTML)