Password-Protect PDF

Encrypt a PDF with a password (AES-256) and restrict printing, copying or editing. Runs in your browser – the file and password are not uploaded.

Runs locally in your browser
Drop a PDF here or click to chooseThe file stays on your device

Your files are processed locally in your browser – nothing is uploaded.

About this tool

Emailing contracts, payslips or tax documents is convenient, but anyone who gets hold of the file can read it. A password to open makes sure only recipients who know it can see the content – best share the password through another channel, e.g. by phone or text message.

This tool encrypts your PDF with AES-256, the strongest method of the PDF standard. You can also restrict permissions such as printing or copying. The encryption is done by qpdf, running as WebAssembly in your browser: the file and the password never leave your device.

How it works

  1. Choose the PDF or drop it onto the area.
  2. Enter a password to open. Leave it empty if you only want to restrict permissions.
  3. Untick permissions if needed and optionally set an owner password that lifts the restrictions.
  4. Click “Protect and download” – the protected copy is saved as …-protected.pdf.

Frequently asked questions

How secure is the password protection?

With a password to open, the content is encrypted with AES-256 and unreadable without the password. The security mostly depends on the password: long passwords or passphrases, e.g. from the Password Generator, are practically impossible to guess.

How reliable are the printing and copying restrictions?

PDF programs such as Adobe Acrobat, browser viewers or Preview respect them. But anyone who can open the PDF can remove them with suitable tools, e.g. Unlock PDF – Remove Password. They are a hint, not real protection – only the password to open protects confidential content.

What is the owner password?

It lifts the restrictions. If you leave it empty, the tool uses the password to open when all permissions are allowed, otherwise a random password nobody knows.

Can the protected PDF be opened everywhere?

AES-256 is part of the standard since PDF 2.0 and is supported by Adobe Reader X and later, all current browsers, macOS Preview and common smartphone apps. Very old programs cannot open it.

Can I re-protect an already protected PDF?

Unlock PDFs that already have a password to open with Unlock PDF – Remove Password first. Then you can set a new password here.

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