PDF Redact (Black-out Text)

How it works

1. Step · 01

   Drop a text-based PDF (this tool searches selectable text — scanned PDFs need OCR first).

2. Step · 02

   Enter the words or phrases to redact — one per line. Case-insensitive.

3. Step · 03

   Click Redact — the tool overlays solid black rectangles on every match and downloads a new PDF.

Frequently asked questions

Is this legal-grade redaction?

The rectangles are drawn on top of the original text. For legal-grade redaction where the underlying text is unrecoverable, follow up with the Compress PDF tool at any preset — it rasterizes every page, permanently baking the blackouts in.

Does it search inside images?

No. This tool searches the selectable text layer only. For scanned pages, OCR the PDF first.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Files are processed directly in your browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly. Nothing is uploaded to our servers, so your documents never leave your device.

Does it work on mobile?

Yes. The tools run in any modern browser on desktop, tablet, or mobile (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox). Very large files may be slower on low-end phones.

• How to Split a PDF or Extract Just the Pages You NeedPull single pages, ranges, or chapters out of a PDF in the browser — including how to choose between splitting, extracting and organizing, and how to keep the pieces small.6 min read

International

This tool is also indexed for French, German and Arabic keywords.