PDF Password Protector
Add a password to a PDF and control printing, copying and editing — entirely in your browser.
Drag & drop a PDF here, or click to browse
No uploads. Your files stay on your device.
Password strength: —
How it works
Drop a PDF, type the password you want readers to enter, and the file is re-saved with
standard PDF encryption — the same kind Acrobat and Preview ask about when you open a
protected document. Everything happens inside your browser with the
pdf-lib library: the PDF is read with the File API, encrypted in memory and
handed straight back to you as a download. Nothing is uploaded, so confidential contracts,
payslips and scans never leave your device.
The open password is what someone needs to view the file. The optional owner password is a separate password that unlocks the permission settings below it, so you can hand out the open password while still restricting printing, copying or editing. If you leave the owner password empty the open password is used for both. There is no recovery: if you lose the password the file cannot be opened, so copy it somewhere safe before you close this page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put a password on a PDF without Acrobat?
Drop the PDF on this page, type the password twice and press "Protect & download PDF". The encrypted copy is saved straight to your downloads folder. No Acrobat, no account and no upload — the PDF is read and encrypted inside your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
What is the difference between the open password and the owner password?
The open password (also called the user password) is what someone must type to view the document at all. The owner password is a second, separate password that unlocks the permission settings — printing, copying text, editing and annotating — so you can share the open password while still restricting what readers can do. Leave the owner password empty and the open password is used for both.
Can I recover the PDF if I forget the password?
No. PDF encryption has no back door and this tool keeps no copy of anything, so a lost password means the file cannot be opened. Use the "Generate strong password" button and the Copy button to save the password in your password manager before you close the page, and keep the original unprotected PDF somewhere safe.