Protect PDF (Password)
Add a password to a PDF (AES-256).
Click to upload or drag & drop
Select a PDF file
How to use the Protect PDF (Password)
- 1Upload your PDF
Drag and drop or click to select the PDF to protect.
- 2Set a password
Type the password that will be required to open the PDF.
- 3Protect
Click Protect PDF and our server encrypts it with AES-256.
- 4Download
The password-protected PDF downloads automatically.
Password-protect a PDF online
This tool adds a password to a PDF with strong AES-256 encryption, so only people who know the password can open it. The encryption is applied with qpdf on our server, and your file and password are deleted the moment the protected PDF is returned.
When to use it
- Secure a contract, statement or report before emailing it.
- Add a password to a PDF containing personal information.
- Protect a document shared over cloud storage.
Private & secure
Your file is uploaded over an encrypted HTTPS connection, converted on our server and streamed straight back to your device. Each request runs in its own isolated workspace that is deleted the instant the result is returned, so nothing is ever stored or shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the encryption?
The PDF is encrypted with 256-bit AES, the strongest standard PDF encryption. Choose a long, unique password for the best protection.
What happens to my password?
It is used only to encrypt your file during the request and is never stored or logged. It is discarded along with your file as soon as the download is sent.
Can I recover the PDF if I forget the password?
No. Without the password the file cannot be opened, so keep it somewhere safe.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
Yes. Unlike our browser-based tools, the Protect PDF (Password) runs on our secure server because it needs professional desktop-grade software to do the job well. Your file is processed in an isolated workspace and deleted automatically the moment the result is sent back — nothing is stored, logged or shared.
Is it free? Is there a watermark or size limit?
It is completely free with no sign-up and no watermark. Files up to 100 MB are supported per conversion.