Unlock a PDF you have the password for
Remove the password from a PDF you can already open. Runs in your browser — your password never leaves your device.
Files are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to any server.
About this tool
A password-protected PDF is useful when the document is in transit, but can become an inconvenience once it has reached the right hands. Opening the same file repeatedly means typing the password every time, and many services that accept PDF uploads refuse password-protected files outright. Unlock PDF removes the password from a PDF you already know the password for, producing a clean copy you can open freely.
The tool works on user-open passwords — the kind you type to open the file. It also removes owner restrictions such as printing, copying, and editing bans, since those restrictions are tied to the same password credential. To use it, upload the protected PDF, type the password, and download the unlocked result. If the password is wrong, you will be told immediately.
The file and the password are processed entirely within your browser using a WebAssembly build of the qpdf library. Neither the password nor any byte of the file is sent to any server. This also means the tool will not help with files whose passwords you do not know — it does not attempt to crack or brute-force anything.
How it works
- 1
Upload PDF
Drop a password-protected PDF you have the password for.
- 2
Enter password
Type the password used to open the file.
- 3
Download
Download an unlocked copy with no password.
Frequently asked questions
Can you crack a forgotten password?
Does this also remove printing/copy restrictions?
Is my password sent anywhere?
What about certificate-encrypted PDFs?
Works offline?
Related tools
Protect PDF
Add a password and restrict permissions.
Fill PDF
Type into PDF form fields and download a filled copy.
Sign PDF
Add your signature to any PDF.
Embed this tool
Let your visitors use Unlock 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/unlock-pdf"
width="100%"
height="600"
style="border:none;border-radius:8px"
title="unlock-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/unlock-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