tools.ltd

Redact a PDF for free: black out private info for good.

Black out Social Security numbers, account numbers, and any names you type in. The words are taken out of the file, not just covered. Your PDF never leaves your device.

Free for 1 page a month. Then $9 a month. See prices

  1. Add your PDF

    • Your file stays on this computer. We never see it.
    • Safe: the words are taken out, not just covered.
    • Free for 1 page a month. Then $9 a month.

    Drop a PDF here

    Or drag it into this box.

    Watch how it works (29 seconds)

    Read the words in the video

  2. Hide and check

    We already look for Social Security numbers, bank account and card numbers, emails, and phone numbers.

    Names are not found on their own. Type each name you want hidden.

    One per line. Example: Jane Smith

    More options
    Look for these

    How it works: pages with something to hide are turned into pictures with black bars, so the words are gone. Pages with nothing to hide stay the same. This tool can't read scans or photos.

  3. Download

    Your safe copy will show up here.

Three steps Step 1, add your file. Step 2, pick what to hide. Step 3, download the safe copy. 1 Add file your PDF 2 Pick what to hide 3 Download safe copy

Three steps

  1. Step 1: Add your PDF. Pick a PDF from your computer or phone. It stays on your device.
  2. Step 2: Hide and check. We already look for Social Security numbers, account numbers, emails, and phone numbers. Names are not found on their own. Type each name you want hidden.
  3. Step 3: Download. We black out each one, take the words out, and check the new copy. Then you download it.
How TrueRedact works your PDF, this browser tab, and the safe copy all sit inside your device. The only thing sent to the tools.ltd server is a number of pages. The file is never sent. YOUR COMPUTER Your PDF on your computer This browser tab finds the words blacks them out Safe copy checked again tools.ltd server number of pages only Your file is never sent

Your file never leaves your device

  • Your PDF is opened right here in this browser tab.
  • The tab finds the words, blacks them out, and checks the new copy.
  • The only thing sent to us is a number: how many pages had something hidden. We use it to count your free pages.
  • We never get your file, the words you hide, or the safe copy.
A box over text compared with text that is removed Top: a black box drawn over an SSN. The number is still hidden in the file, so anyone can copy and paste it: 123-45-6789. Bottom: TrueRedact removes the text, so copy and paste returns only the label SSN and the proof check finds 0 matches. BLACK BOX ON TOP A black box drawn on top SSN 123-45-6789 Copy and paste shows SSN 123-45-6789 ✕ The words are still there Anyone can copy the number WORDS TAKEN OUT This tool SSN Copy and paste shows SSN ✓ The words are gone Our check found 0 matches

A black box on top is not enough

  • Black box on top. A box painted over words doesn't remove them. The words are still in the file. Anyone can copy and paste them.
  • Words taken out. We turn each page with something to hide into a picture with black bars. The words are not in that page anymore.
  • Checked again. We search the new file for every word you picked. You only get the download if none are found.

For papers with private numbers on them.

HR teams, landlords, paralegals, small law and tax offices, and reporters.

Gone, not covered

Drawing a black box on top doesn't remove the words. The words are still there, and anyone can copy them. Here, the words are taken out of the page.

We double-check

After hiding, we search the new file for every word you picked. You only get the download if none are found.

Stays on your computer

Everything happens in this browser tab. Your file and the words you hide are never sent to us.

Simple prices.

Free: 1 page a month. Pages with nothing hidden don't count.

Free

$0forever

  • 1 free page a month with something hidden
  • Finds SSNs, account numbers, emails, and phone numbers
  • Double-checks every file
  • Your file never leaves your device
Hide info in a PDF

Pro

Recommended

$9/month

  • As many pages as you need
  • Same safe, on-your-computer hiding
  • Email help
  • Cancel in one click, any time

🔒 Your file never leaves your device.

Already have Pro? Manage or cancel

Questions

Why not just draw a black box?

A black box drawn on top is like a sticky note over words. The words are still in the file, and anyone can copy them out. This tool takes the words out of the page.

Do you see my file?

No. Your file is opened and changed inside this browser tab. We only get a number: how many pages had something hidden, so we can count your free pages.

Who is this for?

Anyone sharing papers with private numbers on them: HR teams, landlords, paralegals, small law and tax offices, and reporters.

What can't it do?

It can't read words inside a photo or a scan. It only hides what you pick. Pages with something hidden become pictures, so you can't select words on those pages anymore. Look at the preview before you share.

What counts as a page?

A page counts only if something on it was hidden. Pages with nothing hidden are free. Free pages reset on the first of each month.

How does the price compare?

This tool is free for 1 page a month, then $9 a month. Your file never leaves your device.

Try it free

1 free page a month. Nothing to install. No sign-up.

Redact a PDF

Step-by-step guides

Hide a Social Security number, an account number or a name in a PDF so it is really gone. Learn how to test your file before you send it.

See all redaction guides

Need help? Email support@tools.ltd