Redact PDF hides sensitive information — names, account numbers, addresses, emails or phone numbers — before you share a document. Unlike drawing a black box, redaction permanently removes the text and images underneath, so nobody can copy or uncover it.
How to redact a PDF
- Click "Choose PDF file" and open your PDF.
- Type a word and click "Mark all", or use "Mark emails" / "Mark phone numbers". You can also drag boxes by hand.
- Check every page and remove any box you don't need with ×.
- Click "Redact PDF" and download the safe copy.
Why use ZentaPDF Redact PDF?
Easy to useSimple steps, clear buttons — done in a few clicks.
Free, no sign-upNo account, no email, no watermark and no daily limits.
FastNo waiting — results are ready in seconds.
Works everywhereUse it on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android or iPhone in any modern browser.
Original qualityPages are copied as they are — text and images stay crisp.
Large filesHandle big files and many pages — limited only by your device’s memory.
Frequently asked questions
Is the hidden text really gone?
Yes. Pages with redactions are rebuilt as images with the black boxes burned in, so the original text underneath no longer exists in the file. Document details like author and title are also cleared.
Can I still select text on redacted pages?
No — those pages become pictures. Pages without redactions stay unchanged with selectable text.
Does search work on scanned PDFs?
Scanned pages have no text to search. Draw the boxes by hand instead.
Is it really free? Do you add a watermark?
Yes, it is completely free with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limits. The site is supported by a few non-intrusive ads.
Related tools
Protect PDFAdd a password to a PDF with strong AES-256 encryption.Flatten PDFMake filled-in form fields part of the page so they can’t be changed.Edit MetadataChange the title, author, subject and keywords of a PDF.Compress PDFMake PDFs up to 99% smaller and compare before and after.