Protect PDF
Add password protection and permission restrictions to any PDF. Control who can open it — and what they can do with it.
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Protect PDF
Upload any PDF · Secure processing
Drop your file here
or click to browse · .pdf files · up to 20 MB
Output format: .pdf · Compatible with all PDF viewers
How It Works
Simple steps to get your converted file
Upload your PDF
Drop your PDF file. The security settings panel opens so you can configure exactly how this document should be protected.
Set passwords & permissions
Enter an open password, optionally an owner password, choose your encryption level, and toggle per-action permissions.
Download the protected PDF
Encryption runs entirely in your browser. Download the locked PDF — your password never leaves your device.
Configure Password & Permissions
Set an open password, choose AES 256-bit encryption, and toggle per-action permissions — printing, copying, editing, form filling.
Open Password
Encryption Level
Permission Restrictions
Full Control Over Who Can Do What
Open passwords, owner passwords, and per-action permissions — the complete PDF security standard.
Open Password Protection
Set a password that recipients must enter before they can view the PDF. Works in every PDF viewer — Acrobat, browsers, Preview, and mobile apps.
Granular Permissions
Set an owner password to control what viewers can do — allow or block printing, copying text, editing content, filling forms, and adding comments.
AES 256-bit Encryption
Industry-standard encryption used by banks and governments. Choose between 128-bit RC4 (compatible with older viewers) or 256-bit AES (PDF 2.0).
Content Unchanged
Encryption wraps your existing PDF — every page, image, font, and annotation is preserved exactly. Only the security layer is added.
Restrict Printing
Allow full printing, low-resolution printing only (watermark-friendly), or block printing entirely. Useful for distributing proofs or drafts.
Works Everywhere
Password protection and permission flags are embedded in the PDF standard (ISO 32000). Compatible with all major PDF readers and operating systems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this tool
The open password (also called the user password) must be entered to view the PDF at all. The owner password (permissions password) controls what actions are allowed — like printing or copying — without preventing the PDF from being opened. You can set one, both, or neither.
Yes — the password prompt appears in iOS Files, Android PDF viewers, Adobe Acrobat Mobile, and any standards-compliant PDF app. Recipients just need to know the password.
For maximum security, choose AES 256-bit (PDF 2.0). If you need compatibility with older PDF viewers (Acrobat 6 and earlier), choose 128-bit RC4. For general use, AES 256-bit is the best choice.
No — encryption is applied entirely in your browser. Your PDF and password never leave your device. We have no way to recover or reset your password, so keep it safe.
Yes — use our Unlock PDF tool. You'll need to provide the current owner password to remove protection. If you forget the password, we cannot help recover it.
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