PDF Redaction Tool
Permanently cover sensitive information by flattening every exported page. Nothing is uploaded.
Drop a PDF here, or click to choose.
The document is processed only in this browser
How to redact a PDF
- Add your PDF. Drop the file onto the box and wait for its pages to render locally.
- Cover sensitive content. Choose an opaque box color, then drag a box over every area that must be removed on each page.
- Review and download. Click a box to remove it if needed, choose an export quality, and download the redacted PDF.
What happens to your file
Redaction is done by flattening each page — text, images and your redaction boxes — into a single rendered image per page, entirely on your device. The original PDF is never uploaded to OpenToolkit.
This flattening is what makes the redaction permanent: because pages become images, there's no hidden text layer left underneath a box the way there can be with a PDF viewer's "black box" annotation.
What this redaction tool supports
Common reasons to redact a PDF
- Remove a Social Security, account or ID number before sharing a document.
- Hide a client's or third party's personal details in a legal filing.
- Cover pricing or terms that shouldn't be visible outside one recipient.
- Prepare a document for public release after an internal review.
Frequently asked questions
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Rendering, redacting and exporting all happen in the current browser tab; the document is never sent to OpenToolkit.
Is this truly permanent, or can someone remove the box?
Exported pages are flattened images, so the covering box isn't a separate object that can be deleted or made transparent afterward — unlike a black rectangle drawn as a PDF annotation.
Will the text under a redaction still be searchable?
No. Flattening removes selectable text and interactive objects from the exported pages, including the parts you didn't cover.
What should I check before sharing the file?
Inspect every exported page yourself, zoomed in, before sharing — and keep the original PDF secured separately until you've verified the redacted copy.
Can I redact a password-protected PDF?
Not directly. Unlock it in a PDF application first and redact the unprotected copy.
I just want to shrink the file, not black anything out — what should I use?
Try Compress PDF instead.
Last reviewed: August 2026