Open PDF Toolkit
Secure

Protect a PDF with a password

Your files are processed on your device. We never upload them.

How to protect a PDF with a password

  1. 01Choose the PDF you want to protect, or drop it onto the page.
  2. 02Type a password, then type it again.
  3. 03Select Protect, then download your PDF.
  4. 04Keep the password safe. We can't recover it for you.

Questions

Are my files uploaded anywhere?

No. Your files are processed on your device. We never upload them.

Is it free?

Yes. There's no sign-up, no watermark, and no daily limit.

How strong is the protection?

The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption in the PDF standard. How safe it is depends on the password. A long one you don't use anywhere else is hardest to guess.

What if I forget the password?

We can't recover it. We never see your password or your file, so keep a copy of the original PDF or store the password somewhere safe.

Can I change a PDF's password?

Yes. Choose the protected PDF and type the new password. When you select Protect, you'll be asked for the current password. The new password replaces it.

Who can print or copy from the protected PDF?

Anyone who knows the password can open, print, copy, and edit it. Printing or copying limits the original had are not kept.