Protect PDF
Password-protect a PDF with AES-256 encryption — the file and the password both stay on your device. Free, instant, with optional printing and copying restrictions.
Drop a PDF here, or click to choose
AES-256 password protection — file and password never leave your device
Choose PDF0 bytes of your file have left this device. Counted live in this tab, not claimed — open your browser’s Network tab and watch.
How it works
- 1
Drop your PDF in, or click to choose it.
- 2
Set a password (and optionally block printing or copying).
- 3
Download the encrypted PDF — it opens only with your password, in any reader.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is the protection?
AES-256 — the strongest encryption the PDF standard supports, the same level Adobe Acrobat applies. Without the password, the contents are mathematically unreadable.
Do you see my password or my file?
No — and this is where in-browser really matters. On other sites you send BOTH your document AND its new password to their servers. Here the encryption runs on your own device; nothing is transmitted at all.
What if I forget the password?
It cannot be recovered — not by us, not by anyone. That’s what real encryption means. Store the password in a safe place, like a password manager.
Will the protected PDF open in any reader?
Yes — it’s standard PDF encryption. Acrobat, Preview, Chrome, Edge, and phones will all ask for the password and then open it normally.
Can I stop people from printing or copying?
Yes — untick “Allow printing” or “Allow copying text” before encrypting. Readers that honor PDF permissions (most do) will disable those actions.
The tool says my PDF already has a password?
A PDF can only carry one protection layer. Remove the old password first with our Unlock PDF tool, then protect it with the new one.
What usually comes next
The step most people take after this one — and why.