Protect PDF with a Password
Add a password that's needed to open your PDF. The file is encrypted on your device and is never uploaded.
- Runs on your device
- No sign-up
- Free, no watermark
Guide: How to Password Protect a PDF Online (Without Uploading Files)
How to use the Protect PDF
- 01Drop a PDF into the box, or click it to choose one.
- 02Type the password you want to use, then type it again to confirm it. Click the eye icon to check what you typed.
- 03Press Protect PDF.
- 04Download the protected file and store the password somewhere safe.
Good to know
Runs on your device
Your PDF is read and encrypted by your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
AES 128-bit encryption
Page content is encrypted with AES using a 128-bit key, the standard PDF 1.7 security handler.
One password
Up to 32 Latin letters, numbers and symbols, needed to open the file. Keep it safe: it can't be recovered.
Pages copied as they are
Text, images and page sizes are kept. Bookmarks and document properties are not carried over.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The file is encrypted in your browser and never leaves your device.
What encryption is used?
The PDF standard security handler with AES and a 128-bit key (PDF 1.7, AESV2). This is widely supported: Adobe Acrobat and the PDF viewers built into Chrome and Firefox open it once you enter the password.
Does it stop people copying or printing?
No. Printing is allowed, and the file asks readers to block copying and editing. Because the same password is also used as the owner password, anyone who opens the file can usually lift those limits. Treat it as a password to open the file.
What if I forget the password?
It can't be recovered, and this tool can't remove it for you. Keep your original unprotected file, or store the password in a password manager.
Is anything lost from my PDF?
The pages are copied into a new, encrypted file, so text, images and page sizes are kept. Bookmarks, document properties such as title and author, and interactive form fields may not be carried over.
Can I protect a PDF that already has a password?
Not if it needs a password to open. Remove that password first with the Unlock PDF tool (you'll need to know it), then add a new one here. A PDF that opens without a password but has copy or edit restrictions can be protected directly.