Protect PDF
Encrypt your PDF with a password. Optionally restrict printing, copying, and editing — 100% in your browser, no upload needed.
Free Forever
No Upload
AES-128 Encrypted
Client-side
Processing…
Your password is never sent to any server — encryption is done locally.
Drop your PDF here
or click to browse · private & secure
PDF files only · up to 200 MB
Processing…
PDF Successfully Protected!
How PDF Password Protection Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PDF actually encrypted, not just password-prompted?▾
Yes — we implement AES-128 encryption (Standard Security Handler Rev 4, ISO 32000-1) directly in your browser. The PDF content is cryptographically encrypted and cannot be opened without the correct password.
Are my files uploaded to any server?▾
Never. Your PDF is processed entirely inside your browser using JavaScript. No data is transmitted anywhere. Your file never leaves your device.
What if I forget my password?▾
There is no recovery mechanism. Once a PDF is encrypted, the password is required to open it. Store it in a password manager or secure location before downloading.
Do permission restrictions work in all PDF readers?▾
Permission flags are part of the PDF standard and respected by compliant readers like Adobe Acrobat, Apple Preview, Foxit, and most modern viewers. Some lightweight readers may ignore permission flags but will still require the open password to view the file.
Can I remove the password from the protected PDF later?▾
Yes — use our PDF Unlock tool to remove the password. You'll need the current password to unlock it.