Password-protect a PDF — encrypted in your browser
To password-protect a PDF, drop it here, type a password and press Protect PDF. The file is encrypted inside your browser, so neither the document nor your password is ever sent to a server.
Drop your PDF hereor click to choose · stays on your device
How to do it in 3 steps
- Add the PDF. Drag it in or click the box.
- Choose a strong password. Use a long phrase you can remember.
- Download the protected PDF. It asks for the password every time it is opened.
About this tool
A password stops anyone without it from opening the document. Keep the password safe: it cannot be recovered. For documents with sensitive passages, combine this with real redaction in the free Gold PDF desktop editor, which also supports AES-256 passwords.
Why use it
- Encryption happens locally — password never leaves your device.
- Works with any PDF viewer.
- No watermark.
- Free.
Questions
How strong is the encryption?
It uses standard PDF encryption. For AES-256 and extra options, use the Gold PDF desktop app.
Can I recover a forgotten password?
No. Keep it somewhere safe.
Is my password uploaded?
No. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Can I remove the password later?
Yes, with the Unlock PDF tool and the password.
More free PDF tools
- Unlock PDFRemove the open-password from your own PDF so it opens without asking. Free, private, runs in your browser.
- Watermark PDFStamp DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or your own text across every page of a PDF. No upload, no sign-up.
- Merge PDFCombine several PDFs into one document in your browser. Free, no sign-up, no watermark, and your files never leave your device.
Gold PDF — the free PDF editor for Windows
Edit text, redact for real, OCR scans, fill forms, sign and protect. Offline, no account, no watermark.