PDF Redact
Updated June 1, 2025Permanently remove sensitive text and images from a PDF by drawing redaction boxes.
Select a PDF to redact
Features
- Permanently remove sensitive text and images
- Draw redaction rectangles on PDF pages
- Preview redactions before applying
- Irreversible removal—data cannot be recovered
- Navigate pages to redact multi-page documents
- 100% client-side—secure local processing
Common Use Cases
- Hide personal information before sharing documents
- Redact financial data in public filings
- Remove names and addresses from legal documents
- Black out classified information in reports
- Anonymize data in research papers before publication
PDF Redaction Explained
PDF redaction permanently removes sensitive information from a document by drawing opaque black rectangles over the content and deleting the underlying data. Unlike simple drawing tools, redaction ensures the hidden content cannot be recovered.
Redaction vs. covering: Drawing a black box over text in a paint program doesn't truly redact—the text is still there underneath and can be recovered. True redaction deletes the underlying content so it's gone forever.
What to redact: Social security numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, bank account details, medical records, classified information, trade secrets, and any personally identifiable information (PII).
Important: Redaction is permanent and irreversible. Always work on a copy of your document, not the original. Double-check all redactions before distributing the redacted version.
Examples
Original: Contract with SSNs and addresses
Redact: Draw boxes over all SSNs and home addresses
Result: Shareable contract with private data removedOriginal: Research paper with participant names
Redact: Cover all participant identifiers
Result: Anonymized paper ready for publicationOriginal: Bank statement
Redact: Account numbers, balances, transaction details
Result: Proof of account without exposing financesFrequently Asked Questions
No. Our redaction tool permanently removes the underlying text and image data. Unlike drawing a black box, true redaction deletes the content. Once redacted and saved, the information is gone forever.
Try selecting text in the redacted area—if you can select it, it's not properly redacted. A correctly redacted PDF should have no selectable text in the redacted zones. Always verify before sharing.
No. Redaction is permanent. Always keep an unredacted original and only distribute the redacted copy. Think of redaction as the final, irreversible step before sharing sensitive documents.
For security-critical data (SSNs, bank details, medical records), always redact. Blur can sometimes be reversed. Redaction physically removes the data—it's the only truly secure method.
Minimally. Redaction may slightly reduce file size since content is removed, but the change is typically negligible. The primary purpose is privacy and security, not size reduction.
💡 Tips
- Always work on a copy, never the original
- Double and triple check all redactions before sharing
- Try to select text in redacted zones to verify they're truly removed
- Consider redacting metadata (author, title) if it contains sensitive info