Redact a PDF
Hide names, account numbers, addresses or anything else before you share a document. The covered content is removed, not just painted over, and the file never leaves your device.
or drop it here
Files never leave your device · Free, no sign-up · No watermark
How to redact a PDF
- Choose or drop the PDF.
- Draw black boxes over everything you need to hide, on any page.
- Select Redact PDF, download the result and check it.
True redaction
A black rectangle on its own can be lifted off, and the text underneath can still be copied. So every page with a redaction is converted into an image at 200 DPI with the boxes burned in. The hidden content is no longer in the file at all.
What changes
Text on redacted pages can no longer be selected or searched, and those pages may make the file larger. Pages without redactions are left untouched. Always open the result and check every redaction before you share it.
Questions about Redact PDF
Are my files uploaded when I redact a PDF?
No. Scissor PDF runs a PDF engine written in Rust and compiled to WebAssembly inside your browser tab. Your files are read from your disk into the page's memory, processed there and saved back to your device. The site has no upload endpoint, and its Content Security Policy blocks the page from sending data to any other server.
Is the hidden text really gone?
Yes. Pages with redactions are turned into images with the black boxes burned in, so the original text and images under them are removed.
Why can I no longer select text on some pages?
Redacted pages are converted to images. That is what makes the redaction permanent. Pages you did not redact keep their text.
Can I use Crop PDF to hide information instead?
No. Cropping only hides content, which can be revealed again. Use Redact PDF for anything sensitive.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is free, with no account, no daily task limit and no watermark added to your documents. Because the work happens on your own computer, there is no server cost per file for us to recover.