When to password-protect a PDF
When emailing invoices, quotes, contracts or documents with personal information, adding a password gives peace of mind. Even if an email goes to the wrong person, they can’t open the file without the password. It’s common practice to send the password separately, for example by another email or by phone.
What you can set
A password to open the file
A password is required to open the PDF. Use at least 4 characters, ideally 8 or more, mixing letters, numbers and symbols.
Print and copy restrictions (optional)
With “Restrict printing or copying”, even people who open the PDF with the password can’t print or copy text unless you allow it. To remove the restrictions later, use your original PDF.
Encryption method
Files are encrypted with AES-256, one of the strong encryption methods used in current PDFs. They open in common PDF software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Keep your password safe
If you forget the password, you won’t be able to open the PDF, and we can’t look it up or remove it for you. Write down the password you set, and keep the original file too.
Neither your file nor your password is sent anywhere
Some online tools send your file to a server to encrypt it. This tool does all the processing inside your browser, so your password and the contents of your file are never sent anywhere.
Related tools
A password-protected PDF can’t be edited with our other tools. Merge, compress or add page numbers before setting a password.