How do I password-protect a PDF?
Choose a password: the document is encrypted and will ask for it on opening. Encryption happens on your device, and the password never reaches us.
Protect PDF
Lock a document with a password.
The document is encrypted in your browser. Neither the password nor the file travels over the network — we have no way to recover it if you forget it.
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your file is not sent anywhere.
Drop your filesor click to browsePDF files
Common questions
What if I forget the password?
The document becomes permanently inaccessible. We do not know it and cannot recover it — that is exactly what makes it protective. Write it down before sending the file.
Are my files uploaded to the internet?
No. This tool runs entirely in your browser: the document is opened on your device, processed there, and never sent anywhere. You can even go offline once the page has loaded.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
Free and unlimited, with no account and no sign-up. This tool costs us nothing because it runs on your machine, so we have no reason to ration it.