Redact PDF
Black out text and areas so the content is permanently removed.
or drop files here
Free: files up to 100 MB · 1 file per task · 15 of 15 free tasks left today. See plans
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted after 2 hours. You can delete them sooner.
Redacting a PDF permanently removes the text and images under each black box, so they cannot be copied, searched or recovered; PDFDaily also lets you search for names, emails and numbers to redact.
How to redact a PDF in 3 steps
- 1
Choose your PDF, then mark areas, select text or search for what to hide.
- 2
Review the marked items and pages.
- 3
Select Apply redactions, then download the redacted PDF.
What can Redact PDF do?
- Mark areas, select words, mark whole pages, or erase a mark.
- Search with text or patterns, and mark every match or only the ones you pick.
- Find emails, phone numbers, card numbers, IBANs, dates, URLs, IP addresses and ID numbers in one click.
- Marked content is really removed: pages with marks become images, other pages are left untouched.
- Optional OCR keeps redacted pages searchable, without the hidden text.
- A check confirms that the text you searched for is gone before you can download.
Why is a black box not enough to redact a PDF?
A black box drawn on top of text only hides it, and anyone can still copy the text from under the box. Redact PDF removes the content itself. Pages with marks are rebuilt as images with the boxes burned in, and pages you did not mark are left exactly as they were, with their text and vector graphics.
How do I black out text in a PDF?
To black out text in a PDF, add it to Redact PDF, drag across the words or draw a box over an area, then select Apply redactions. You can also mark a whole page, or search for a name or a pattern and mark all matches or only the ones you pick. The common data buttons find emails, phone numbers, card numbers and more for you. For scans, run OCR PDF first so the text can be found.
How do I check the redaction worked?
Before anything happens you see how many items on how many pages you marked. After applying, we check the result and tell you that none of the searched text remains. Choose a black, white or custom box colour, and add a label such as REDACTED if you like. To review or change the document details yourself, use Edit PDF metadata.
Burning in redactions is done on our servers. Files are deleted automatically after 2 hours, or right away when you press Delete now.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to redact a PDF?
To redact a PDF means to permanently remove sensitive text or images and cover the spot with a box, usually black. Unlike a drawn rectangle, a real redaction leaves nothing underneath to copy, search or recover.
Can I redact a PDF for free?
Yes. Redact PDF is free with daily tasks and no software to install: add your PDF, mark what to hide and select Apply redactions.
Is the hidden text really removed?
Yes. Every page with a mark is turned into a picture with the boxes painted on, so the text underneath no longer exists in the file. We then check the output and refuse to give you a file that still contains what you marked.
Can I find sensitive data automatically?
Yes. One click finds email addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, IBANs, dates, URLs, IP addresses and common ID numbers, and marks them for you to review.
Can I redact a scanned PDF?
Yes, by marking areas. Searching and finding data needs text, so run OCR PDF first.
Is metadata removed too?
Yes, by default: title, author, dates and software details. Attachments and scripts are removed everywhere.
Related tools
Last updated October 23, 2026