How to password-protect a PDF
- Drop your PDF into the box above.
- Enter a password to open the file (or leave it empty to set permissions only).
- Optionally set an owner password and choose what readers may do: print, copy, modify, comment.
- Click Protect PDF and download the encrypted copy.
How to unlock a PDF
- Switch to Unlock mode.
- Enter the password the file currently opens with — or leave it empty to strip permissions-only restrictions from a file you own.
- Click Unlock PDF and download the password-free copy.
Good to know
- AES-256 (R6) is the strongest encryption the PDF standard supports; every modern reader opens it.
- Permission flags (no printing, no copying) are respected by well-behaved readers — the cryptographically enforced part is the open password.
- This page loads a ~2 MB encryption engine on first use, then works offline. Large files may take a few seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Why encrypt locally instead of using an online service?
Online encryptors receive both your document and your password — the two most sensitive things about the file. Here, neither ever leaves the tab. For documents protected precisely because they are sensitive, that difference is the whole point.
I forgot my password — can you recover it?
No. AES-256 cannot be bypassed, and this tool does not attempt it. Keep your original unprotected file until you have verified the password works.
Can I re-protect with a different password?
Yes — unlock with the current password first, then protect again with the new one.