How to Redact a PDF Online
Remove sensitive information from a PDF in three simple steps. No software installation required.
Add Your PDF
Select a PDF or drop it into the tool. Enter the correct password if the file is protected.
Mark Sensitive Content
Draw boxes over the areas you want to remove, or find text and review the marked matches.
Apply and Download
Click “Apply redactions,” then preview and download the redacted PDF.
How Does the PDF Redaction Tool Work?
The CompressFly PDF redaction tool removes marked text, graphics, and image content from a PDF rather than simply covering it up. It supports hand-drawn areas and text searches across the document, with black, white, or no fill for the redacted areas. Your PDF and any password you enter are processed locally in your browser instead of being uploaded to a server. The result is a redacted copy, while your original file stays unchanged. Free to use, with no signup required.
What "processed locally" means
- Your PDF is not uploaded to a server
- The password you enter stays in your browser
- Text search and redaction happen on your device
- The redacted copy is created locally for download
PDF Redaction vs. a Black Box
Drawing a black rectangle over a PDF can leave the original content underneath. Applied redactions remove the marked page content instead.
| What changes | Applied redaction | A shape placed over content |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying text | Removed from the marked areas | Can remain underneath and still be selected or copied |
| Image content | Content in marked areas is removed | The picture may remain behind the shape |
| Appearance | Black, white, or no fill—all remove marked content | A colored shape does not prove the content was deleted |
Redaction targets the areas you mark. It does not automatically remove document metadata, attachments, or sensitive details elsewhere in the PDF. Review the downloaded copy before sharing it.
Why Use CompressFly to Redact a PDF?
Easy to Use
Prepare a document with private details left out without learning a complex editing suite. The visual workspace keeps the redaction task easier to manage.
Safer Document Sharing
Applied redactions remove content from the marked areas of the saved copy. Those details are removed rather than merely covered by a visible box.
Less Repeated Marking
Repeated details can take time to find in a long document. Built-in text search helps with searchable PDFs, reducing the manual work of locating the same information again.
No Installation Required
Redact a PDF in your browser without setting up desktop editing software. A one-off document does not need a separate application.
Free Without an Account
Use the redaction tool without a subscription or registration. You can prepare and save the revised document without providing payment details.
Private Workspace
The complete document stays on your device while you work with it. Your PDF is not uploaded to a processing server before its private details are removed.
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Redact PDF FAQ
How do I redact a PDF online?
Redact your PDF in three steps: 1. Select a PDF and enter its password if needed. 2. Draw boxes over sensitive content, or search for text and review the marked matches. 3. Click “Apply redactions,” then preview and download the redacted PDF.
Can I undo a PDF redaction?
Before applying, you can move or remove the redaction boxes. Once applied, the marked content is removed from the downloaded copy; deleting a black or white box will not restore it. To change what you have redacted, work from your original PDF. Keep that original in a secure location.
Can I find and redact the same text across multiple pages?
Yes. Search for a word, phrase, or number and choose “Mark every match.” The tool marks matching text across the document, with an option to ignore upper/lower case. Review the matches before applying; text search does not automatically identify every sensitive detail.
Can I redact a scanned PDF?
Yes. Draw boxes over the areas you want to remove from scanned PDF pages. Text search works only when the PDF has a searchable text layer, such as one added by OCR. This tool does not run OCR on image-only scans.
Can I white out PDF text instead of using black boxes?
Yes. Choose “White” to remove marked content and fill the area with white, or “No box, just remove” to leave it unfilled. Black, white, and no fill all apply redactions; they are not just colored covers.
Does redaction remove PDF metadata and hidden information?
Not automatically. This tool redacts marked areas on PDF pages; it does not sanitize the whole document or clear all metadata and attachments. Use Remove PDF Metadata for document metadata, and check for sensitive details elsewhere before sharing.
Can I redact multiple PDFs at once?
This page works with one PDF at a time. You can mark areas across multiple pages within that document. Download the result, then choose “Redact another PDF” to process the next file.
Is this PDF redaction tool free, and are my files uploaded?
Yes, the tool is free, with no registration or credit card required. Your PDF, any password you enter, and the redaction process stay in your browser. The redacted copy is created on your device, not on a processing server.