Protect PDF with a password and access permissions
Lock a PDF with an AES-256 encrypted password, or leave it open but restrict printing, copying, and editing.
Accepted formats: PDF. Up to 2000 pages per document. Up to 500 MB in total per upload.
How to protect a PDF with a password
Add files
Choose the PDF you want to lock, or drag it onto the upload box.
Protect PDF
Choose the type of protection: lock opening, or restrict editing along with the permissions still allowed. Type the password twice, then press Protect PDF.
Download
Download the locked PDF and keep the password somewhere safe.
Free, no sign-up
No account
No sign-up or sign-in needed.
No cost
Completely free, with no paid version.
Not stored
Converted files are deleted automatically after download.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is the encryption?
The PDF is locked with AES-256, the strongest encryption in the PDF standard. Its strength still depends on the password: a long phrase you can remember is harder to guess than a short, complicated word.
Are print and copy permissions always obeyed?
Not in every app. Standards-compliant PDF readers respect them, but some applications ignore them. For truly confidential content, lock the opening instead.
Can a forgotten password be recovered?
No. The password is used only while the job runs and is not stored anywhere, so we cannot remind you of it or recover it.
