Protect a PDF with a Password

Protect a PDF with a Password is a free tool that runs entirely in your browser, with no data ever sent to a server. Encrypt a document in AES-256 so it only opens with the right password.

What it's for

Prevent a sensitive document from being opened by someone without the password, before sending it by email or storing it on a shared service.

What this tool does not do

This tool does not work on a PDF already protected by a password: remove the existing protection first with the "Unlock a PDF" tool. Encryption does not replace an electronic signature or server-side access control.

Frequently asked questions

If I forget the password, can you recover it?

No, and no one can: nothing is sent or stored anywhere. Write down the password before closing this page, otherwise the document becomes unreadable, even to you.

What level of encryption is used?

AES-256, the current standard for protected PDFs, recognized by Adobe Acrobat and most recent readers.

Are my files sent to a server?

No: processing happens entirely in your browser, on your device. No file is ever transmitted to a server, at any point.