Sign PDF Online
Sign any PDF
in seconds
No printing. No scanning. Type your name in a handwriting font, draw your signature with a mouse, or upload an existing image. Download the signed PDF instantly.
File never leaves your device
Used by students at universities worldwide, HR teams on platforms like Teamtailor, freelancers on Workana, and businesses processing contracts without subscriptions. No Adobe Acrobat required.
Three ways to sign
Type your name
Enter your name and choose from several handwriting-style fonts. The quickest way to sign any document — a method covered in HowToGeek's e-sign guide.
Draw by hand
Use your mouse or trackpad to draw your real signature on a canvas. Works great on touch screens too — no Adobe Acrobat Sign subscription needed.
Upload an image
Already have a scanned or photographed signature? Upload it as a PNG or JPG and place it on the PDF. As Lifewire notes, image signatures are the fastest method for recurring signers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I sign a PDF online?
Open your PDF in the editor, click the Signature tool, and choose Type, Draw, or Upload. Create your signature, click "Place signature", then click on the page where you want it to appear. Download the signed PDF.
How do I add a signature to a PDF?
Use the Signature tool: type your name in a handwriting font, draw with your mouse or finger, or upload a scanned signature image. Click to place it anywhere on the page, then resize and reposition as needed.
How do I insert a signature in a PDF?
Select the Signature tool from the toolbar, create your signature (typed, drawn, or uploaded), then click the location on the PDF page where it should appear. The signature is inserted as an image overlay.
Is a typed or drawn electronic signature (e-sign) legally valid?
In most jurisdictions, a typed or drawn electronic signature is legally binding for everyday documents under laws like the US ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS Regulation (ec.europa.eu). The European Commission's eIDAS framework defines three tiers: Simple Electronic Signature (SES), Advanced (AES), and Qualified (QES) — a drawn image qualifies as SES. For regulated documents (property deeds, notarised contracts) check the specific requirements in your jurisdiction.
Is this a digital signature or an electronic signature?
This is an electronic signature — a graphical image overlay. It is not a cryptographic digital signature backed by a certificate and PKI chain. For certified digital signatures, Adobe Acrobat Sign and DocuSign issue certificate-based signatures. As HowToGeek explains, most everyday contracts only require an electronic signature.
Will the signature be embedded in the PDF?
Yes. The signature is rendered as an image and embedded directly in the downloaded PDF. It appears exactly as placed on screen in any PDF viewer including Adobe Reader and browser-based viewers.
Can I sign on a mobile phone or tablet?
Yes. The draw mode works with touch input, so you can draw your real signature with your finger or stylus on any touch device — iPhone, Android, or iPad. As Lifewire notes, browser-based signing is the simplest method on mobile without installing an app.
How does this compare to Adobe Acrobat for signing?
Adobe Acrobat offers both image-based electronic signatures and certificate-backed digital signatures. PDFTheGuide offers the same image-based signature free — with one key difference: your file never leaves your device. Adobe's cloud-based tools upload your file to Adobe servers.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. Your file and signature are processed entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Nothing is sent to a server at any point — unlike cloud-based tools such as ilovepdf.com, sodapdf.com, or Adobe Acrobat online, which upload your file.