# Redact PDF - Permanently Black Out Sensitive Information Online

> Free online PDF redaction: draw boxes over names, ID numbers or amounts and black them out for good — those pages are re-rendered so the text is gone.

- URL: https://qilingtools.com/en/pdf/redact
- Category: PDF Tools (https://qilingtools.com/en/pdf)
- Tags: [PDF](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/pdf), [Privacy & Security](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/privacy)
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- Price: Free, no sign-up
- Privacy: Runs locally in the browser; files are never uploaded

Before you share a contract, CV, bill or scanned ID, black out what nobody else should see. Upload the PDF, then press and drag on the page preview to box the areas to hide — as many as you like, across any pages — and choose a black or white fill. Unlike tools that merely draw a black rectangle on top, this is true redaction: every page with a redaction is re-rendered as an image and the boxes are burned into the pixels, so the text and graphics underneath are permanently gone and cannot be copied, searched or uncovered by moving the box. Pages without redactions are kept exactly as they were, with selectable text. The output also drops document properties such as the author. Everything runs in your browser, so sensitive files never reach a server.

## How to use

1. Upload the PDF you want to redact
2. Drag boxes over the areas to black out, switch pages to add more, and pick a fill color and resolution
3. Click Redact & download to get the redacted PDF

## Features

- True redaction: underlying text is removed
- Drag to mark areas, across multiple pages
- Untouched pages stay vector and selectable
- Runs locally, sensitive files never uploaded

## FAQ

### Can someone still copy the original text after redaction?

No. Redacted pages are re-rendered as images with the boxes drawn in, so the original text layer no longer exists — copying, searching or moving the box in an editor recovers nothing.

### Why can I no longer select text on redacted pages?

To remove the underlying information completely, redacted pages are converted to images, so none of their text is selectable. Pages without redactions are unaffected. Pick 300 DPI for sharper redacted pages.

### How is this different from drawing a black box?

Many PDF editors just place a black rectangle over the text while the text stays in the file for anyone to copy — a common cause of leaks. This tool deletes the original content under the marked areas.

### Are my files or data uploaded?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser with no network upload, and is discarded when you close the page.

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