PDF Password Protector
Add password protection and set permissions on your PDF files — free, browser-based
Drop PDF here or click to upload
PDF files only
Document Permissions
Allow Printing
Users can print the PDF
Allow Copying
Users can copy text/images
Allow Editing
Users can modify content
Allow Annotations
Users can add comments
Client-side PDF encryption has limitations. For maximum security, use a server-side solution or desktop tool like Adobe Acrobat.
Free Online PDF Password Protector — Secure Your PDF Files Instantly
PDF files are everywhere — contracts, invoices, financial reports, medical records, legal documents, academic papers, and more. Many of these documents contain sensitive or private information that should not be openly accessible. Adding password protection is the most common and effective way to prevent unauthorised people from opening, printing, copying, or editing your PDF files.
This free PDF Password Protector runs entirely in your browser. Upload a PDF, set a password (with a real-time strength meter showing Very Weak through Very Strong), confirm it, configure document permissions (printing, copying, editing, and annotations), and click Protect. The protected file is downloaded instantly. Your file never leaves your device — no server upload, no cloud storage, no account required.
If you need a strong password but cannot think of one, click the Generate Strong button to create a secure 16-character random password with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. The password field can be toggled between visible and hidden using the eye icon. A mismatch indicator shows if your confirm password does not match.
Understanding PDF Permissions
Allow Printing
When enabled, anyone who opens the PDF can print it. When disabled, the Print function in the PDF viewer is blocked. Useful for preventing physical copies of confidential documents.
Allow Copying
Controls whether users can select and copy text or images from the PDF. Disabling this prevents easy extraction of content — though screenshots are still possible.
Allow Editing
When disabled, users cannot modify the content of the PDF (add or remove pages, edit text, change images). The document is effectively read-only.
Allow Annotations
Controls whether users can add comments, highlights, sticky notes, and other annotations. Disabling this keeps the document clean from external markups.
When to Password Protect a PDF
Sending contracts and agreements
Protect contracts before emailing them to prevent unauthorised recipients from opening or modifying the document. Share the password separately via a secure channel.
Sharing financial documents
Bank statements, tax returns, and invoices often contain account numbers and financial details that must be protected from unauthorised access.
Distributing internal company files
Company policies, employee data, strategic plans, and board presentations should be password protected when shared internally or with external stakeholders.
Protecting academic and research work
Students and researchers protect thesis drafts, unpublished papers, and exam materials from premature distribution.
Securing medical and legal records
Healthcare providers and legal professionals often share sensitive patient or case files as PDFs that legally require access controls.
Preventing unauthorised printing
Digital publications, design proofs, and copyrighted content can be protected from printing to maintain intellectual property control.