Redact PDF
Black out names, numbers and any text in a PDF for good: search or draw boxes and the hidden content is truly removed. Free and private.
- No uploads
- No limits
- No signup
Drop a PDF to redact
or click to browse · paste works too
- Input:
- Output:
- Redacted PDF
- Runs on:
- Your device
- Size limit:
- None
- Account:
- Not needed
How to use Redact PDF
Add your PDF
Drop it in or click to browse. The pages are shown in your browser and never uploaded.
Mark what to hide
Search for a word or number to box every match, or drag on a page to draw boxes by hand. Step through the pages to check them.
Redact and download
Press “Redact PDF”. Marked pages are rebuilt as images with the boxes burned in, and you save the redacted copy.
Why Redact PDF on Toolshed
No uploads
Everything runs in this browser tab. Your files never leave your device.
No limits
No file-size caps, no daily quotas. Process as much as your device can handle.
No signup
No account, no email, no watermark.
Frequently asked questions
Is the redacted text really removed, or just covered?
Really removed. A page with redactions is rendered to an image with the black boxes burned in and replaces the original page, so its text, images, form fields and annotations are deleted from the file. Copying, searching or editing the PDF can't bring them back.
Why can't I select text on redacted pages anymore?
Because those pages are now pictures of the page. That's what makes the redaction safe. Pages without any boxes are copied as they were, so their text stays selectable. Choose 300 DPI if you need sharper redacted pages.
Why didn't the search find my text?
The search reads the PDF's text layer. Scanned documents are images with no text layer, so draw the boxes by hand there. Always look over the boxes before saving: they're placed from the text positions and may need a nudge.
Is my document uploaded?
No. Searching, marking and redacting all happen in your browser on your device. That matters for exactly the kind of documents people redact. Note that the document title and other metadata aren't changed; clear them with Edit PDF Metadata if needed.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Redact PDF runs entirely in your browser. Your files are processed on your device and are never sent to a server.
Is there a file size limit?
No fixed limit. The only limit is your device's memory. Very large files work best in a desktop browser.