Protect PDF with Password
Add 256-bit AES password protection to any PDF. Free, instant, and 100% private. Files never leave your device.
256-bit AES encryption. Your file and password never leave your device.
Drop your PDF here or click to browse
or click the button below to browse your files
💡 Use at least 8 characters with letters, numbers, and symbols for best security.
Frequently asked questions
Other Free PDF Tools
Protect PDF with Password Online — Free
PDFcraft adds 256-bit AES password protection to any PDF for free — entirely in your browser. Your file and your password never leave your device. No sign up, no uploads, military-grade encryption.
What does the Protect PDF tool do?
The free PDF password protection tool encrypts your PDF document using 256-bit AES encryption — the same standard used by banks, governments, and military organizations worldwide. Once protected, anyone who tries to open the PDF will be asked for the password before any content is displayed. The encryption and protection process runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly technology — your file and password never get sent to any server.
How to password protect a PDF — step by step
- Click Select File and upload your PDF
- Enter a strong password — use 8+ characters with letters, numbers, and symbols
- Confirm the password
- Click Protect PDF
- Download the password-protected PDF
- Share the password through a separate channel from the file
Why protect PDFs with a password?
- Protect confidential contracts and legal agreements
- Secure financial reports and bank statements
- Protect medical records and personal health information
- Secure HR documents, payslips, and employment contracts
- Protect personal identification documents before emailing
- Control access to sensitive business proposals
Is PDFcraft safe for protecting confidential documents?
PDFcraft is the safest free option for password protecting PDFs. Unlike other tools that upload your file to their servers for processing, PDFcraft uses WebAssembly to encrypt everything locally in your browser. Your PDF and your chosen password never leave your device — not even for a millisecond. This makes PDFcraft suitable for the most sensitive documents.