Redact PDF
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Redaction means permanently removing sensitive content from a document. In this tool's secure mode, pages carrying redaction boxes are rebuilt as flat images with the boxes burned in, so the content underneath is destroyed rather than hidden; the cost is that those pages lose selectable, searchable text. A quick black-out mode also exists that only covers content visually and is not secure redaction.
At a Glance
1 Credit
Per Run
On-Device
Processing
Flatten or Cover
Method
25 MB
Free File Limit
Key Facts
LittlePDF Redact PDF's secure mode re-renders marked pages as flat images with the redaction boxes burned in, so the covered text and images are removed from the output and cannot be extracted; those pages lose selectable text.
A separate quick black-out mode only draws boxes over content and leaves the underlying data recoverable; the tool states this and recommends secure mode for sensitive material. There is no text search, pattern matching, or automatic detection in either mode.
Boxes are placed manually page by page. Secure mode writes a new document that carries over none of the original's document metadata; quick mode clears only producer and creator. It runs client-side, costs 1 credit, and handles files up to 25 MB free or 500 MB on Pro.
How to Redact PDF in 3 Steps
Drop the PDF into the upload area; each page renders so you can mark it.
Pick a mode, secure redact or quick black-out, then click and drag to draw a box over anything you want removed, page by page.
Apply, and the redacted PDF downloads to your device.
Why Redact PDF with LittlePDF?
Draw boxes over anything you want removed, with undo and per-box removal while you work.
Everything runs in your browser with pdf.js and pdf-lib, so the file is never uploaded to a server.
Two modes with the tradeoff stated: secure redact destroys the content under each box by flattening the page to an image; quick black-out is visual-only and leaves the data recoverable.
One credit per run against 500 free credits a day, so redacting documents is effectively free for regular use.
Features
Secure Redact Mode
Pages with boxes are re-rendered as flat images with the black areas burned in, so the underlying text and images are removed from the output file. The stated tradeoff: those pages become images, so their text is no longer selectable or searchable. Untouched pages are copied losslessly.
Quick Black-Out Mode
Draws opaque black rectangles on top of the page and keeps the rest of the document untouched, including selectable text. The covered content remains in the file and can be recovered, so use it for tidying, not for confidential data.
On-Device Processing
Rendering and rebuilding happen locally in the browser with pdf.js and pdf-lib. The file is never uploaded, so it stays on your machine throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: June 2026