How to use the Protect PDF
Step 1: Drop a PDF onto the upload box, or tap it to choose a file.
Step 2: Type a password and repeat it. Use 8 or more characters, mixing words, numbers and symbols.
Step 3: Choose what people may do after opening: print, copy text and images, or edit.
Step 4: Press Protect PDF, then Download PDF. Test the file by opening it and entering the password.
Features and benefits
Password to open
Anyone opening the file must enter the password.
Permission controls
Allow or block printing, copying and editing.
Typo protection
You enter the password twice, and a mismatch is flagged before you save.
Strength hint
Short passwords are pointed out, so you can choose a stronger one.
Never sent anywhere
Encryption runs in your browser, so your password and file stay on your device.
How the protection works
The PDF is encrypted with the password you choose, using the standard PDF password mechanism. Without the password, a PDF viewer cannot show the content. The permission options are instructions stored in the file that well-behaved PDF programs follow; the password is the part that actually keeps people out.
Choosing and sharing the password
A good password is long and not guessable: a few unrelated words with numbers is better than a single word. Do not send the password in the same email as the file. Share it by phone, in a message or in person. Test the locked file before you delete the original, and keep the original somewhere safe in case the password is ever lost.
Example use cases
Emailing sensitive files
Protect a payslip or contract before sending it.
Storing documents
Add a password to a document kept in cloud storage or on a shared computer.
Sharing with a group
Give the password separately so only the intended people can open the file.
Limit copying
Distribute a document that can be read and printed but not easily copied.
Frequently asked questions
Can you recover my password if I forget it?
No. We never see your password or your file. Without the password the PDF cannot be opened, so keep it safe.
Are my password and file uploaded?
No. The PDF is encrypted in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Do the print, copy and edit limits always work?
Most PDF programs respect them, but they are instructions rather than a lock. The password is what protects the file.
Can I protect a PDF that is already protected?
Yes. Enter its current password when asked and then set a new one.
Related tools
Last updated 9 November 2026.