Redact PDF — Black Out Sensitive Words
Black out sensitive words, names or numbers across every page of a PDF. Ideal for FOIA responses, court exhibits and any document you need to share safely.
Redact PDF
Black-box any word or phrase across the document
About the Redact PDF tool
The redact tool searches for the terms you provide and paints an opaque black box over each match. Because it runs locally, the un-redacted document never leaves your device.
For extra safety, run Flatten PDF after redaction so the black boxes can't be moved or hidden.
Key features of Redact PDF
- Case-insensitive search across all pages
- Multiple redaction terms in one pass
- Solid black boxes prevent recovery in normal viewers
- No uploads — everything stays local
- Free and unlimited
How to use Redact PDF
- Upload the PDF that contains sensitive content.
- Enter the words or phrases to redact.
- Click ‘Redact PDF’.
- Download the redacted document (consider flattening it too).
Common use cases
- Prepare documents for public disclosure
- Hide client names before sharing case studies
- Redact account numbers on bank statements
- Remove personal data from documents before publishing
- Sanitize legal exhibits for review
Frequently asked questions
Can redacted text be recovered from the exported PDF?
The black boxes cover the text so it's not visible in normal viewers. For maximum safety, flatten the redacted PDF or export it as an image-based PDF before sharing.
Can I redact by pattern (e.g. all phone numbers)?
This tool uses simple keyword matching. For regex-style patterns, list every value you want removed.
Is this tool safe to use with confidential files?
Yes. Every file is processed locally inside your web browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly. Nothing is uploaded to a server, stored, or shared — so contracts, invoices, medical records and personal documents stay 100% private on your device.
Is it really free? Are there any limits or watermarks?
Yes, it's completely free with no sign-up, no daily limits, and no watermarks stamped on your output. Process a single file or hundreds — the only limit is your device's memory.