Protect PDF
Add an open password to a PDF, so anyone who opens the new copy has to type it first. Encryption happens in your browser, so the file is not uploaded.
- 1 Choose files
- 2 Adjust
- 3 Download
or drag and drop here
PDF · 30 MB per file · 100 MB totalProcessed on this device. Your files are never uploaded.
- ✓ Free
- ✓ No account
- ✓ Files stay on your device
The new copy is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption in the PDF standard. Current PDF readers, including Adobe Acrobat Reader, browser PDF viewers and the built-in viewers on phones, ask for the password before they show any page.
Good to know before you begin
Keep the password somewhere safe. PDFReadyGo does not store it and cannot recover it, so a forgotten password means the protected copy cannot be opened. Your original file is not changed. Very old PDF readers made before AES-256 support may not open the protected copy, and a digital signature in the original will not be valid in it.
How to password-protect a PDF
- Choose a PDF, or drop it into the file area.
- Type a password, then type it again to confirm.
- Select Protect PDF and download the protected copy.
Frequently asked questions
Are my files uploaded?
No. The PDF is encrypted in your browser on your own device, and your password is not sent anywhere.
What encryption does it use?
AES-256, the strongest password encryption in the PDF standard. The tool uses qpdf, an open-source PDF library, running in your browser.
What if I forget the password?
PDFReadyGo cannot recover it. Keep the original file, or save the password in a password manager.
Can I block printing or copying?
Not with this tool. It adds a password that is needed to open the file. Printing and copying restrictions are respected by some PDF apps and ignored by others, so they are not a reliable way to protect a document.
How strong should the password be?
Length helps most. A phrase of four or more unrelated words, or 12 or more characters, is much harder to guess than a short word.
Having trouble? Read the FAQ or visit help and contact.