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Redact a PDF, free

Black out names, numbers or whole areas. Redacted content is permanently removed from the file, not just covered.

  1. 1Choose file
  2. 2Set options
  3. 3Download

Drop your PDF here

PDF → redacted PDF · up to 100 MB

Choose file You can also paste a file or screenshot with Ctrl+V.

    AI assistant

    Add a PDF above to ask questions about it, summarise it or give it a better name.

    Redact PDF in 3 easy steps

    1. Choose your file (PDF → redacted PDF): drop it on this page or click “Choose file”.
    2. Check the options (smart suggestions can set them for you), then click “Redact PDF”.
    3. Download the result. Everything runs in your browser, so your files are never uploaded.

    Why use GrovePDF

    • Free, with no signup, no watermark and no daily limit.
    • Private: your files are processed on your device, never on a server.
    • AI built in: smart suggestions and an assistant that answers questions about your PDF.
    • Works on any device with a modern browser, in nearly 110 languages.

    Updated · GrovePDF team

    Redacting is not drawing a black box

    Putting a black rectangle over text in a PDF editor hides it on screen, but the text is still in the file: anyone can copy it out. Real redaction removes it. GrovePDF rebuilds each page that has a redaction as an image with the black boxes painted in, so the hidden text no longer exists. The page's other text stays searchable.

    Three ways to mark what to hide

    • Personal details found for you: a small AI model running on your device suggests names, postal addresses, emails, phone numbers, bank accounts, ID numbers and dates of birth. You check every suggestion before anything is removed.
    • Find text: type a name, number or word and choose Mark all; every occurrence on every page gets a box.
    • Draw boxes: drag a box over anything, including signatures, photos and scanned pages.

    Tick Also remove the document's title, author and other details to clear the file's hidden properties too.

    Before you send it

    • Open the result and check every page: search for the hidden words to be sure they're gone.
    • Scanned pages have no text to search, so draw boxes by hand there.
    • Keep the original in a safe place; the redacted copy can't be reversed.

    Read more in how to protect, unlock and redact a PDF.

    Redact PDF: questions and answers

    Is the hidden text really gone?

    Yes. Each page with a redaction is rebuilt as a picture with the black boxes painted in, so the text underneath no longer exists. The page's other text stays searchable.

    Can I find every place a name appears?

    Yes. Type it in Find text and choose Mark all: every occurrence on every page gets a box. Check the result before saving.

    Does it work on scanned PDFs?

    Yes, by drawing boxes. Text search only works on PDFs with selectable text.

    Is my document uploaded to find personal details?

    No. The suggestions are made by a model that runs in your browser; the text never leaves your device.

    Will it find every personal detail automatically?

    Not always: it suggests what it finds, and you decide. Always review the pages, and add boxes for anything it missed.

    Guide: PDF security: protect, unlock and redact