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PDF tool · runs in your browser

Permanently redact text in a PDF

Draw boxes over private text and permanently delete the words underneath. The PDF stays on your device.

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Supported languages

removes existing PDF text in any language when the file has a text layer. Suggest private text looks for emails, US-style Social Security numbers, long ID numbers and phone numbers written with Latin letters and digits. Drawn boxes work on any script. Scanned pages are not recognized as text.

How to use redact pdf

  1. 1. Open the PDF

    Choose a PDF with up to 100 pages. The preview shows the whole file, and the file stays on your device.

  2. 2. Mark the private text

    Drag a box around each word, picture area or signature to remove. The box snaps to the lines of text it covers, so you see exactly what will go. Suggest private text can mark emails, ID-style numbers and phone numbers for you to review. Nothing is deleted until you redact.

  3. 3. Redact and check the download

    Select Redact PDF. The file is read back and checked, and nothing is offered for download if text is still found under a box. Open the file and try to copy the hidden text before you share it.

What gets removed

The words under each box are deleted from the page, not covered. Only those words go: the rest of the line stays where it was, as sharp, selectable text. Under a box, the covered part of a picture is blanked and drawings such as a signature are removed. Comments, links and form fields under a box are removed, and document properties are cleared. A page that cannot be cleaned this way is rebuilt as a picture, and the tool tells you which. Attachments, bookmarks and hidden layers can remain. Use Remove PDF metadata when you only need to clear document properties.

Check the result before you share

Open the download and try to copy the text you meant to hide. Keep the original somewhere safe. This tool does not certify legal redaction, and it does not preserve digital-signature validity. Files stay on your device. Each PDF must be under 150 MB and 100 pages.

Built by Faheem Riaz at Feemag. How file privacy works · Report a problem

Good to know

Questions & answers

Is drawing a black box the same as redacting a PDF?

No. A black rectangle, whiteout or highlight can leave the words in the file, where someone can still copy them. This tool deletes the words, the covered part of any picture and the drawings under each box. A second PDF engine then reads the file back, and no download is offered if text is still found under a box.

Will the rest of the PDF stay selectable?

Yes. Only what is under a box is removed, so the rest of the line and the rest of the page stay sharp, selectable text at any zoom. If a page cannot be cleaned that way, that one page is rebuilt as a picture and the tool tells you which page and why.

Can this redact a scanned PDF?

Yes. A scan has no text layer, so the area under each box is blanked inside the page image itself and those pixels are gone. This tool does not run OCR, so Suggest private text cannot find words inside a scan. Draw the boxes yourself.

Does it remove metadata, comments and attachments?

Comments, links and form fields under a box are removed and document properties are cleared. Bookmark titles and field values that repeat a removed word are blanked. Attachments are not edited: if a removed word also appears in an attached file, the tool stops and tells you. Hidden layers and digital-signature validity can remain. This is not a legal certificate of redaction.

Which languages are supported?

Language support: removes existing PDF text in any language when the file has a text layer. Suggest private text looks for emails, US-style Social Security numbers, long ID numbers and phone numbers written with Latin letters and digits. Drawn boxes work on any script. Scanned pages are not recognized as text.

Is it really free?

Yes. Every Feemag tool is free, with no sign-up, no watermarks added by us and no daily limits.

Are my files uploaded anywhere?

No. Your files are processed by your own browser on your device and never uploaded to a server. Processing speed depends on your device and file size.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes: in any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox) on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux.

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