Is redacted text recoverable from the file?

No — redaction deletes the content from the file, unlike drawing a black box over it. Verify by trying to select text in the redacted area.

What is the difference between redact and white-out?

White-out (in Edit PDF) visually covers content but leaves it in the file. Redaction removes it permanently. For sensitive data, always redact.

Can I redact a scanned document?

Yes — the marked area of the page image is removed. For text-based files, the underlying text is deleted too.

Should I also clean the PDF metadata?

Yes, before publishing — metadata can carry author names and titles. Use Remove PDF Metadata after redacting.

Redact PDF

Redaction permanently removes sensitive content from a PDF — the text underneath the black box is actually deleted, not hidden. That is the difference between redacting and drawing a rectangle. Free with fair daily limits.

Free Encrypted Deleted in 1 hour

1Upload
2Configure
3Download

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Accepted: PDF

256-bit SSL encrypted No sign-up to start Auto-deleted in 1 hour

Your files are processed temporarily and deleted automatically — there is no general cloud storage. File deletion.

How to redact pdf

Simple steps — no software to install.

1
Upload the PDF
The document with sensitive content.
2
Mark the areas to redact
Draw redaction boxes over names, numbers and passages.
3
Apply redaction
The marked content is permanently removed, not covered.
4
Download the safe copy
Share it knowing the data is gone.

Why use our Redact PDF

Secure & private

Files are encrypted in transit and deleted automatically after processing.

Fast results

Optimized processing returns your file in seconds.

Free to start

Core tools are free with daily limits — no install required.

Works anywhere

Runs in your browser on any device, anywhere in the world.

Why a black rectangle is not redaction

Covering text with a shape leaves the text in the file — anyone can select-and-copy underneath it or extract it programmatically. Real redaction deletes the content itself, which is what this tool does. Data-leak scandals have started with exactly this mistake.

What people redact

Account and Aadhaar/SSN-style ID numbers, salaries in offer letters used as proof, client names in work samples, addresses and phone numbers in published documents, privileged passages in legal disclosures.

Verify, then share

After redacting, try selecting text over the redacted areas — there is nothing to select, because it is gone. Consider Remove PDF Metadata too before publishing. Files are processed temporarily and deleted automatically — there is no general cloud storage.

Content removed, not hidden
Copy-paste proof
Redact text and image areas
Free with fair daily limits
Original stays untouched