Restrict PDF Permissions
Block printing, copying or editing a PDF.
Click to upload or drag & drop
Select a PDF file
How to use the Restrict PDF Permissions
- 1Upload your PDF
Drag and drop or click to select the PDF.
- 2Choose restrictions
Set an owner password and allow or deny printing, copying and editing.
- 3Apply
Click Restrict PDF and our server applies the permissions with qpdf.
- 4Download
The restricted PDF downloads automatically.
Restrict what people can do with a PDF
This tool locks down a PDF's permissions — printing, copying text and editing — while still letting anyone open it without a password. The restrictions are enforced with an owner password set with qpdf on our server.
When to use it
- Stop a shared document from being printed or edited.
- Prevent people copying text out of a report.
- Distribute a read-only PDF that still opens freely.
Private & secure
Usage permissions are applied to your PDF with qpdf on our server. The file travels encrypted, is processed in a workspace made for that request, and is deleted the moment the restricted PDF is returned — nothing is kept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people still be able to open the PDF?
Yes. The document opens with no password; only the actions you deny (printing, copying, editing) are blocked. The owner password protects those settings.
How strong are these restrictions?
Permission flags are respected by mainstream PDF readers. They are a strong deterrent, though determined users with specialist tools can sometimes bypass permission-only protection — use Protect PDF with an open password for stronger security.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
Yes. Setting permission flags on a PDF is handled by qpdf on the server, so the file is uploaded briefly. It is isolated for that request and erased once the restricted file is sent.
Is it free? Is there a watermark or size limit?
Completely free, no account, and no watermark. PDFs up to 100 MB each are supported.