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Redact PDF
Black out sensitive text in your PDF.
or drop files here
How to Redact Text in a PDF Online
- Upload the PDF file containing text you want to redact.
- Enter the words or phrases to redact, separated by commas.
- Click "Redact PDF" to permanently black out the matching text and download the result.
When to Use This Tool
- Removing personal information like names, emails, and phone numbers before sharing documents.
- Redacting confidential business data, financial figures, or trade secrets from reports.
- Sanitizing legal documents by blacking out privileged or protected information.
Features
- Permanently removes matching text — not just visually hidden but actually deleted from the PDF
- Supports multiple search terms separated by commas
- Optional case-sensitive matching for precise redaction
- Black redaction rectangles clearly indicate where text was removed
- Free to use with no signup — files auto-deleted after processing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the redaction permanent?
Yes. The redacted text is permanently removed from the PDF — it cannot be recovered by selecting, copying, or using any PDF editing tool. This is true redaction, not just a visual overlay.
Can I redact multiple different terms at once?
Yes. Enter all terms separated by commas (e.g., "John Smith, john@email.com, 555-1234"). All occurrences of each term will be found and redacted throughout the document.
Is case-sensitive matching available?
Yes. By default, matching is case-insensitive ("john" matches "John" and "JOHN"). Enable the case-sensitive option for exact-case matching.
Is this redaction tool free and secure?
Yes, completely free with no account required. Your documents are processed securely and automatically deleted after one hour. No human ever views your files.