Redact PDF Online
Add persistent black boxes over visible PDF content. Processing runs locally in your browser.
Upload Your PDF Document
Select a PDF file to redact sensitive information
Your document is processed in your browser and is not uploaded to our server.
Visual blackout does not remove hidden PDF data.
How Do I Black Out Content in a PDF?
1. Select Your PDF
Choose a PDF from your device. The file is read locally in your browser and is not uploaded to our server.
2. Draw Redaction Boxes
Click and drag your mouse over any text or image to draw a black box. You can move or resize boxes before downloading.
3. Apply & Download
Click Save Redacted PDF. The tool writes opaque black rectangles into a new copy; it does not remove hidden or underlying PDF objects.
Is This the Same as True PDF Redaction?
Saved Visual Blackout
The downloaded PDF keeps the black rectangles visibly in place. The underlying PDF objects are not sanitized.
100% Private (No Uploads)
The file-processing workflow runs in your browser and does not upload the selected PDF to our server.
Know the Limitation
Use a dedicated redaction and sanitization product when underlying text, metadata, attachments, or layers must be removed.
What Is PDF Redaction?
True PDF redaction permanently removes sensitive content and may also require sanitizing hidden information. This browser tool creates opaque black rectangles over selected page areas. That is useful for visual blackout, but it should not be treated as content-removing or metadata-sanitizing redaction.
What does this redaction tool remove?
| PDF content | Result | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Visible text or images | Covered by an opaque black rectangle in the downloaded PDF | The underlying PDF object is not deleted by this implementation. |
| Scanned page areas | Visually covered | Review the downloaded page at high zoom before sharing. |
| Metadata and document properties | Not removed | Author, title, dates, and other metadata may remain. |
| Comments, attachments, layers, or hidden text | Not sanitized | Use a dedicated redaction and sanitization product for high-risk disclosure. |
When is visual blackout appropriate?
Use it for low-risk drafts, personal copies, or documents where you only need visible areas covered. Do not rely on it for court filings, public-record releases, medical records, financial disclosures, or any workflow requiring proof that the original data cannot be recovered.
How was this limitation verified?
Reviewed July 22, 2026: the save routine reloads the original PDF and draws black rectangles at the selected coordinates before creating a new file. It does not delete underlying text/images or remove hidden data. Adobe's official redaction workflow separately applies redactions and offers sanitization for hidden information.
- The selected PDF is processed locally in the browser.
- The source file on your device is not overwritten.
- Always reopen and inspect the downloaded copy before sharing it.
Frequently Asked Questions About PDF Redaction
Is the redaction really permanent?
The black rectangles remain visible in the downloaded copy, but this implementation does not delete the underlying PDF objects. Do not use it when legally defensible content removal is required.
Is it safe to use this tool with sensitive documents?
The selected PDF is processed locally and is not uploaded to our server. However, visual blackout is not a substitute for true redaction and hidden-data sanitization.
What color can I use for redaction?
The tool applies a black rectangle over each selected area. The color is fixed and cannot currently be changed.
Further Reading
See how to redact a PDF properly. Worth reading before you redact anything sensitive: it explains why drawing a black box is not redaction.