Free online PDF tool
Redact a PDF so the text is really gone
It is worth knowing how most redaction goes wrong. A tool draws a black rectangle over a name or a number, the page looks censored, and the document gets sent. But the rectangle is a separate layer sitting on top: the text underneath is still in the file, still selectable, still copyable by anyone who opens it in the right reader. Real breaches have happened exactly this way.
This tool flattens every page you mark. The covered content is discarded when the page is rebuilt, so there is nothing left underneath to recover. Pages you do not touch are copied across untouched and keep their selectable text — only the pages you actually redact pay the cost.
Open Redact PDFRuns in your browser — your files are never uploaded.
How to Redact PDF
- Select the PDF containing information that must be removed.
- Drag a box across anything sensitive. Use the page arrows to work through the document, and remove a box by clicking the × on it.
- Press "Download redacted PDF". Marked pages are rebuilt without the covered content.
Frequently asked questions
Can the redacted text be recovered?
No. The marked pages are rebuilt from a rendered image, so the original text objects are not carried into the new file. That is the difference between this and drawing a black box on top.
Why do redacted pages stop being selectable?
Because destroying the hidden text means rebuilding the page without its text layer. It is the direct cost of the guarantee, and it applies only to pages you actually marked.
Is the original file changed?
No. A new PDF is downloaded and your original stays as it was — which means you should store or delete that original carefully, since it still contains the sensitive content.
Does the document get uploaded to check it?
No. The unredacted document never leaves your device, which matters more here than for any other tool on the site.