Add a password to a PDF
Add a password to any PDF in your browser. Pick the permissions you want to restrict.
Files are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to any server.
About this tool
Sending a PDF that contains personal information, confidential terms, or financial data across email or a file-sharing link exposes it to anyone who intercepts or stumbles on the link. Adding an open password means only people you share the password with can read the file. Protect PDF encrypts the document with AES-256 — the same standard used by enterprise software — directly in your browser.
Beyond the open password, you can set owner-level permission restrictions: prevent printing, block text copying, or disallow further modification. These restrictions are enforced by PDF readers that comply with the specification. For maximum security, pair a strong open password with the restrictions you need — the open password is what drives the encryption strength.
Because encryption runs locally using a WebAssembly build of qpdf, the unprotected file never leaves your device. You set the password, you keep it. If you lose it, there is no recovery — so store it somewhere safe before sharing the protected document.
How it works
- 1
Upload PDF
Drop the PDF you want to protect.
- 2
Set a password
Pick a strong password and any restrictions (print, copy, modify).
- 3
Download
Download the protected PDF.
Frequently asked questions
What encryption is used?
Can permissions stop a determined attacker?
File uploaded?
Lose my password?
Will Adobe Reader open it?
Related tools
Unlock PDF
Remove the password from PDFs you own.
Sign PDF
Add your signature to any PDF.
Redact PDF
Truly remove sensitive content from PDFs.
Embed this tool
Let your visitors use Protect PDF without leaving your site. Paste the snippet below into any HTML page. Files stay private — everything runs in the visitor's browser.
<iframe
src="https://pdfwox.com/embed/protect-pdf"
width="100%"
height="600"
style="border:none;border-radius:8px"
title="protect-pdf tool"
allow="downloads"
loading="lazy"
></iframe>
<script>
window.addEventListener('message',function(e){
if(e.data&&e.data.type==='privpdf-resize'){
var f=document.querySelector('iframe[src="https://pdfwox.com/embed/protect-pdf"]');
if(f)f.style.height=e.data.height+'px';
}
});
</script>The embed runs entirely in the visitor's browser — no files are uploaded. The iframe resizes automatically to fit its content via postMessage.
Deeper guide