Password protect a PDF
Lock a PDF with a password using AES-256, and limit printing, copying or editing.
Processed on your device. This page has no server that could receive your files.
How to password protect a PDF
Add a password so only people who know it can open your PDF. It uses AES-256 encryption and runs in your browser, so neither your file nor your password is ever sent anywhere.
- 1Choose a PDF.
- 2Type a password twice, or let it suggest a strong one.
- 3Choose what people may do once it is open, then press Protect PDF and download.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lost password be recovered?
No. The encryption happens on your device and nobody else has the password, so keep it somewhere safe.
How strong is the encryption?
It uses AES-256, the strongest standard encryption for PDFs. The strength of the password still matters, so use a long one.
Are the print, copy and edit limits a lock?
They are honoured by Acrobat, browsers and most viewers, but they are a request. The password is what keeps the content private.
Is it safe? Are my files uploaded?
Your files are never uploaded. Everything runs inside your own browser, so there is no server that could receive, store or leak your documents. You can even switch off your internet connection after the page has loaded and it keeps working.