Redact PDF
Permanently remove
sensitive content
True redaction deletes the underlying text and image data from the PDF — it cannot be recovered by copying text or inspecting the file. Not just a black box on top.
File never leaves your device
How redaction works
Mark areas
Draw redaction boxes over the text, images, or regions you want to permanently remove. As <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/795691/how-to-redact-a-pdf/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HowToGeek explains</a>, marking is always a separate step from applying.
Apply redactions
Click "Apply Redactions" — the content is deleted from the PDF data, not just covered visually. This is the key difference from tools like black-box overlays.
Download
Download the redacted PDF. The removed content cannot be recovered — unlike <a href="https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/redact-pdf.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adobe Acrobat online redaction</a>, your file never leaves your device.
What to redact
Personal information
Names, addresses, dates of birth, passport numbers, and other PII before sharing documents — required under <a href="https://gdpr.eu/article-32-security-of-processing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GDPR Article 32</a> and similar data protection laws.
Financial data
Account numbers, salary figures, bank details in contracts or financial reports. A best practice recommended by <a href="https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-bulk-personal-data-introduction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NCSC's data protection guidance</a>.
Legal names in court docs
Remove witness names, victim details, or confidential parties from legal filings. <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CourtListener</a> and other public legal databases rely on proper redaction before publication.
Internal pricing
Remove cost breakdowns or internal pricing before sharing a proposal externally. As reported by <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-accidentally-exposed-internal-documents-via-unredacted-pdfs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BleepingComputer</a>, improper redaction has led to major data exposures.
Frequently asked questions
Is this true redaction or just a black box on top?
True redaction. When you apply redactions, the underlying content is permanently deleted — not just covered. Learn the difference in our redaction glossary entry. As BleepingComputer documents, drawing a black rectangle is one of the most common redaction failures — the data remains selectable underneath.
Can redacted content ever be recovered?
No — not from the downloaded file. Once you download the redacted PDF, the data that was under the redaction marks is permanently deleted from the file's content streams. This is what separates true redaction from whiteout or shape overlays. The ACLU v. DOJ case is a famous example of what happens when redaction is done incorrectly.
What are common redaction mistakes to avoid?
HowToGeek's redaction guide highlights the most common mistakes: (1) drawing shapes instead of true redacting, (2) using highlight or whiteout instead of a redaction tool, (3) not flattening after redaction. Our tool avoids all three by permanently removing data on export.
Can I redact images as well as text?
Yes. Redaction boxes work over any page content — text, images, graphics, or any combination. The content beneath the redaction area is removed entirely from the PDF data structure.
Will the redacted areas show as black boxes in the final PDF?
Yes. Redacted areas are replaced with solid black rectangles by default — the standard convention used in legal filings, government documents, and FOIA responses.
Is my document sent to a server for redaction?
No. All processing happens entirely in your browser using client-side WebAssembly. Your file never leaves your device — unlike Adobe Acrobat online or ilovepdf.com, which upload your document to their servers.