Protect PDF
Lock a PDF with a password so only people who know it can open it.
Free account, takes 30 seconds. Add your file below to see how it works — you'll just need to sign up before it runs. Free 2-day trial.
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Password-protecting a PDF means only someone who knows the password can open it at all - the standard way to share a sensitive document (a contract, a payslip, an ID copy) over email or a link without anyone else who intercepts it being able to read it.
How to use this tool
- Upload the PDF you want to lock.
- Set the password you want to protect it with.
- Download the password-protected PDF and share the password separately from the file itself.
Frequently asked questions
What encryption does the password protection use?
The PDF is locked using standard PDF password encryption, the same protection recognised by Adobe Acrobat and every major PDF reader.
How to use Protect PDF
How to password-protect a PDF online – step by step
Protect PDF adds a password to your PDF so only people who know it can open the file. Choose a strong password, confirm it, and download the locked PDF in seconds.
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Upload the PDF
Drag your PDF onto the upload box or press Browse File.
Step 1: Upload the PDF -
Check the file
Your file name and size are listed.
Step 2: Check the file -
Type the password twice
Enter a password of at least 4 characters, then type it again to confirm. Use the eye icon to check what you typed.
Step 3: Type the password twice -
Press Run
Press the Run button.
Step 4: Press Run -
Download the protected PDF
Press Download. Opening the new file now asks for your password.
Step 5: Download the protected PDF
Quick tips
- Use a long phrase, for example three random words and a number.
- Share the password separately, never in the same e-mail as the file.
- Keep a copy of the password - it cannot be recovered.
Common problems & fixes
- The passwords do not match
- Retype both boxes carefully, or show the characters with the eye icon.
- I forgot the password
- A password cannot be recovered from a protected PDF - keep your original unprotected copy safe.
- The file already asks for a password
- Remove the old password first, then protect it again with a new one.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put a password on a PDF?
Upload the PDF, type and confirm a password, press Run and download.
Can I open the protected PDF on a phone?
Yes, any PDF viewer will ask for the password.
Is the file encrypted?
Yes, the PDF is encrypted with the password you choose.
Is it free?
New accounts can use Protect PDF free for 2 days. After that each run uses credits - the exact price is shown on the page before you start.