Password Protect PDF Online For Free
Add password encryption to your PDF documents.
Secure sensitive files before sharing them.
The owner password grants full control over the PDF (printing, editing, etc). If left blank, the user password is used.
*All processing happens in your browser. Your PDF and passwords are never sent to any server.
How to Password Protect a PDF
- Upload your PDF file.
- Enter a password and confirm it.
- Optionally set an owner password for full permission control.
- Click "Protect & Download".
- Share the protected PDF — recipients will need the password to open it.
Why Use Our PDF Protection Tool?
The easiest way to secure your PDF documents with a password
All encryption happens in your browser. Your PDF and passwords are never sent to any server.
Your PDF is encrypted so it cannot be opened without the correct password.
Optionally set a separate owner password to control printing, editing, and copying permissions.
Encryption doesn't change any content. Your PDF remains exactly as it was, just locked.
Encryption is fast — your protected PDF is ready in seconds.
Start protecting your PDFs immediately. No account or registration needed.
Why Password Protect PDFs?
Password protection is essential for securing sensitive documents before sharing them via email, cloud storage, or messaging. Whether it's financial reports, legal contracts, personal records, or confidential business proposals, adding a password ensures only authorized people can access the content.
Common use cases include protecting contracts and agreements, securing tax documents and financial statements, locking medical records and personal files, and restricting access to internal company reports.
Our tool encrypts your PDF entirely in the browser — your files and passwords never leave your device.
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PDF Protection FAQs
Common questions about password protecting PDF files
Is this tool free?
Yes, our PDF protection tool is completely free with no limitations. Encrypt as many PDFs as you need without signing up.
Is my password secure?
Absolutely. Your password and PDF are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is ever sent to our servers or any third party.
What is the difference between user and owner passwords?
The user password is required to open the PDF. The owner password (optional) grants full permissions like printing and editing. If someone has the owner password, they can bypass restrictions set for regular users.
Can I remove the password later?
Yes! Use our Unlock PDF tool to remove the password from a protected PDF. You'll need to know the password to unlock it.
What encryption is used?
The PDF is encrypted using the standard PDF encryption supported by pdf-lib, which is compatible with all major PDF readers including Adobe Acrobat, Preview, and Chrome.
Is there a file size limit?
Our tool supports PDF files up to 50MB. All processing happens in your browser.
Will protection change my PDF content?
No. Password protection only adds an encryption layer. All text, images, fonts, and formatting remain exactly as they are.
Can I protect a PDF that is already password-protected?
No. You need to first remove the existing password using our Unlock PDF tool, then add new password protection.
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