How strong is the protection?

Your PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption PDF readers support. Without the password, the pages can't be read. A long password that's hard to guess matters most.

Can people print or copy from it?

That's up to you. Choose Read and print only, or Read only, to stop copying and editing. Most PDF readers respect these settings, but some programs ignore them, so don't rely on them for anything secret: the password is the real protection.

What if I forget the password?

We can't recover it: it isn't kept anywhere. Keep a copy of your original PDF, or store the password somewhere safe.

Do you keep my password?

No. It's used to lock your PDF and then forgotten. It isn't saved with your files or shown anywhere afterwards.

Will it open on any device?

Yes. Any up-to-date PDF reader asks for the password and then opens it: Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, Chrome, Edge and phone apps.

What happens to my files?

Your PDF is deleted as soon as it's protected. Your protected PDF is available to download for 1 hour, then it's deleted too. On a paid plan, your files and results are kept in My files until you delete them.

You can try it free with a free account. To keep using it, add it to a paid plan, from $9 a month.

PDF tools

Password Protect PDF: Add a Password to a PDF

Free to try with a free account. Lock a PDF with a password so only people you share it with can open it. You can also stop printing, copying and editing. Your PDF is deleted as soon as it's protected.

Change your apps anytime until you use them. Apps you've used can be swapped next month.

What people can do once it's open

Password to open the PDFAt least 4 characters. Keep it safe: we can't recover it for you.Choose a file

Up to 100 MB. Your file is deleted once it's processed, and your result is available for 1 hour.

Why use Protect PDF

Try it free: PDFs up to 2 pages are free. Sign in with a free account for up to 5 free tries a day.
Files deleted for you: Your file is deleted as soon as it's processed, and your result is kept for 1 hour before it's deleted too.
Works on any device: Runs in your browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone. No app needed.
Big files welcome: Files up to 100 MB.

How to use Protect PDF

Choose a PDF (up to 100 MB).
Type the password people will need to open it, and pick what they can do once it's open.
Download your protected PDF and share the password separately.

Frequently asked questions

How strong is the protection?: Your PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption PDF readers support. Without the password, the pages can't be read. A long password that's hard to guess matters most.
Can people print or copy from it?: That's up to you. Choose Read and print only, or Read only, to stop copying and editing. Most PDF readers respect these settings, but some programs ignore them, so don't rely on them for anything secret: the password is the real protection.
What if I forget the password?: We can't recover it: it isn't kept anywhere. Keep a copy of your original PDF, or store the password somewhere safe.
Do you keep my password?: No. It's used to lock your PDF and then forgotten. It isn't saved with your files or shown anywhere afterwards.
Will it open on any device?: Yes. Any up-to-date PDF reader asks for the password and then opens it: Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, Chrome, Edge and phone apps.
What happens to my files?: Your PDF is deleted as soon as it's protected. Your protected PDF is available to download for 1 hour, then it's deleted too. On a paid plan, your files and results are kept in My files until you delete them.
Is Protect PDF free?: You can try it free with a free account. To keep using it, add it to a paid plan, from $9 a month.

Password Protect PDF: Add a Password to a PDF

Why use Protect PDF

How to use Protect PDF

Frequently asked questions

Related tools