Redact Sensitive Information from PDF
To redact a PDF, upload the file and draw boxes over the names, ID numbers, or account details you need removed. Redaction covers and flattens the content so it cannot be recovered by copy-paste — unlike drawing a black box in an editor. It runs entirely in your browser.
Remove sensitive information from your documents.
Drop a PDF file here to redact it.
Runs in your browser · file never uploaded
This tool runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your file is never uploaded — it stays on your device from start to finish.
Full detail in our privacy policy.
At a glance
0 KB
Uploaded to any server
Free
No account required
None
Watermarks on your output
Start in 3 easy steps
A quick visual tour of the private PurePDF workflow.
Upload
Select PDF file
Define
Set redaction area
Download
Get redacted file
Built for everyday PDF work
Fast, clear, and built around local browser processing.
Privacy First
Process locally for security.
Visual Blocking
Black out sensitive text.
Fast
Apply changes instantly.
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Frequently
Asked
Questions
Quick answers about this PurePDF workflow.
Is the PDF redaction tool free?
Yes. Redacting sensitive information is completely free.
Do my files get uploaded to a server?
No. Redaction runs entirely in your browser — critical for the sensitive documents this tool is made for.
Is the redacted content really removed?
Yes. Redaction covers the selected areas and flattens the result so the underlying content is not recoverable by copy-paste.
What should I redact?
Names, ID numbers, account numbers, addresses, and any personal data before sharing documents externally.
Can I redact multiple areas and pages?
Yes. Draw as many redaction boxes as needed across any number of pages before exporting.
How is this different from just drawing a black box?
A drawn box in an editor leaves the text underneath selectable. Redaction removes it — always verify by trying to select text in the exported file.
How to redact a PDF properly, so hidden text cannot be recovered
Why a black rectangle is not redaction
The most common redaction mistake is drawing a black box over sensitive text in a PDF editor and sending the file. The box hides the text visually, but the text is still in the document underneath it. Anyone can select it, copy it, and paste it somewhere else. Leaked court filings and government documents have repeatedly exposed names and figures this way.
Real redaction removes the content, not just the view of it. PurePDF covers each area you select and flattens the result, so the underlying text is not recoverable by copy and paste in the exported file.
What to redact before sharing a document
Before a PDF leaves your organization, look for personal and confidential data that the recipient does not need:
- Names, signatures, and contact details of people who are not party to the request.
- National ID, passport, tax, and social security numbers.
- Bank account, card, and invoice reference numbers.
- Home addresses, dates of birth, and medical or HR details.
- Internal pricing, margins, and commercially sensitive figures.
How to redact with PurePDF
Upload the PDF, draw a redaction box over each area you want removed, and repeat across as many pages as needed. When every area is marked, export the file. Always check the result: open the exported PDF, try to select text where a redaction sits, and confirm nothing comes out.
Redaction is permanent in the exported copy, so keep your unredacted original somewhere safe in case you need to redact again with a different scope.
Redaction runs on your device
The documents that need redaction are, by definition, the ones you should not be uploading to random websites. PurePDF’s redaction runs entirely in your browser: the unredacted PDF is never sent to a server. Only the redacted copy you download exists outside your device, and only where you choose to send it.
Related clean-up before you share
Redaction handles visible content. Review comments and markup too, since annotations can contain names and internal notes; Remove Annotations strips them. For documents that must stay restricted after sending, add a password with Protect PDF.
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