Redact PDF
Draw black boxes over sensitive content, then apply — it's permanently removed. Files never leave your device.
Drop your PDF here
or click to browse · Files stay private
Redacting permanently removes sensitive text and images from a PDF — not merely covering them with a black box, which leaves the underlying content recoverable. Proper redaction deletes the content itself so it cannot be selected, copied or revealed.
Because the documents you redact are by definition sensitive, this tool runs entirely in your browser with no upload. Always verify the result before sharing. Our redaction guide explains how to do it safely.
How to Use
Upload your PDF
Drop the file onto the upload zone or click to browse.
Draw redaction boxes
Click and drag over text or images you want to permanently remove.
Apply redactions
Click Apply Redactions — the content is burned into the page, not just covered.
Download the redacted PDF
Save the clean, permanently-redacted document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the redaction truly permanent?
Yes — PDFelly renders the page to a canvas, draws opaque black over the selected regions, and embeds the result as a page image. The original text layer underneath is removed.
Can redacted text be recovered?
No — unlike overlaying a black rectangle on a text layer (which is reversible), PDFelly's redaction rasterizes the page so the original content is gone.
Does redaction make the PDF searchable?
Redacted pages become images, so the text within them is no longer searchable. Non-redacted pages retain their text layer.