Free PDF Redaction Tool
Permanently black out and remove sensitive content from a PDF, directly in your browser.
Add a PDF to begin
Choose one PDF or drag and drop it here.
Maximum 200 MB · Up to 300 pagesChoose a page, then position a redaction box over content to black out. Pages with a filled square have redactions queued.
How to redact a PDF
- Add a PDF file.
- Choose a page and drag the box over the content to black out.
- Select Add redaction box (repeat for more boxes or other pages).
- Select Apply redactions & download.
How this works
Each page with a redaction box is rendered as a flat image with the black boxes burned directly into the pixels, then that image replaces the page's original content entirely — so the text or image underneath a redaction box is not just hidden, it is genuinely gone from the file.
Why this is different from a redaction checker
This tool performs the redaction. If you already have a redacted PDF and want to verify the redaction was done safely, use the separate PDF Redaction Safety Checker instead.
Common use cases
- Black out a Social Security number or account number before sharing a PDF
- Remove sensitive names or addresses from a legal or medical document
- Redact confidential sections before sending a contract externally
Frequently asked questions
Is this PDF redaction tool free?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup and no watermark.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. Redaction happens entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to Inqita or stored.
Can the redacted text be recovered?
No. Pages with redaction boxes are rasterized to a flat image before the black boxes are applied, so the underlying text or image content is genuinely removed, not just visually covered.
Can I redact more than one area per page, or multiple pages?
Yes. Add as many redaction boxes as you need on a page, and switch between pages to redact different areas across the document.
Can I redact a password-protected PDF?
Not currently. Remove the password before using the tool.