Can someone remove the black boxes and read what is underneath?

No. Marked pages are rebuilt as images with the boxes burned in, and their original text and graphics are deleted. No hidden layer is left.

Why can’t I select text on some pages after redacting?

Every page with at least one mark is turned into an image. Pages without marks keep their selectable text.

Is blurring as safe as blacking out?

Only at higher levels. For numbers and names, choose Black Out or push the intensity toward Heavy.

Does the tool find sensitive data automatically?

No. You mark each area yourself; Apply to all pages helps when an item repeats in the same place.

My PDF is password-protected. Will the redacted copy need the password?

No. The redaction works on an unlocked copy, so the result opens without one. Use Encrypt PDF afterwards if it should be protected again.

All Tools

Redact PDF

Black out or blur sensitive areas, remove them from the PDF for good.

Choose PDF file

or drop it here

Your files are sent securely from your browser to our server.

Up to 30 MB per file

Completely free
No sign-up
Files are deleted right after processing

What Redact PDF does

Redact PDF hides information you must not share, such as ID numbers, bank details, signatures, addresses or names in a case file, before a document leaves your hands. You drag a box over each sensitive area, choose to black it out or blur it, and download a redacted copy.

The difference from drawing a black rectangle is what happens underneath. A shape over text leaves the words in the file, ready to be copied out. Here, every marked page is rebuilt as a flat image with the boxes burned in, and that page’s original text, fonts and images are deleted. vupdf also clears places where hidden words can survive: attachments, title and author information, bookmarks and form fields of redacted pages, and the accessibility text of tagged PDFs. Unmarked pages stay exactly as they were.

How to use Redact PDF

Upload the PDF; if it asks for a password, enter the one you were given.
Choose Black Out or Blur under Redaction Method, and set the blur intensity if needed.
Drag over each area to hide, and adjust a mark by dragging it or its corners.
Turn on Apply to all pages for a mark that should repeat at the same spot on every page.
Check the Marked Areas list, then click Redact and Download.

Features and options

True removal, not a cover-up: Marked pages are redrawn as images and their original content is deleted, so hidden words cannot be selected, searched or copied.
Black Out or Blur: Black Out paints a solid box, the safest choice for numbers and names. Blur has a light-to-heavy intensity setting and suits photos or faces.
Apply to all pages: Repeat one mark at the same position on every page, ideal for letterheads or statements that print a customer number on each sheet.
Cleanup beyond the page: Attachments, document properties, XMP metadata, document scripts, and bookmarks or form fields tied to redacted pages are removed as well.
Precise marking: Zoom with the mouse wheel and pan with the hand tool, Space or the middle button. Remove marks one by one or all at once with Clear all.

When it helps

A lawyer shares a court filing but must hide a client’s ID number and home address.
An employee sends a payslip as proof of income with the bank account blacked out.
A journalist publishes a memo after blurring signatures and junior staff names.
An HR team forwards CVs to a panel without candidates’ phone numbers and photos.

Tips and limits

Redacted pages become images: their text can no longer be selected and the file may grow. OCR - Convert to Text can make it searchable again, and hidden parts stay hidden.
Low blur levels can leave text readable; use Black Out or a high level for secrets.
Files up to 30 MB and 300 pages are accepted. There is no automatic word search, so check every page before downloading.
Keep the unredacted original somewhere safe; redaction cannot be undone in the downloaded file.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone remove the black boxes and read what is underneath?: No. Marked pages are rebuilt as images with the boxes burned in, and their original text and graphics are deleted. No hidden layer is left.
Why can’t I select text on some pages after redacting?: Every page with at least one mark is turned into an image. Pages without marks keep their selectable text.
Is blurring as safe as blacking out?: Only at higher levels. For numbers and names, choose Black Out or push the intensity toward Heavy.
Does the tool find sensitive data automatically?: No. You mark each area yourself; Apply to all pages helps when an item repeats in the same place.
My PDF is password-protected. Will the redacted copy need the password?: No. The redaction works on an unlocked copy, so the result opens without one. Use Encrypt PDF afterwards if it should be protected again.