Encrypt PDF

Encrypt PDF is a free online tool that protects PDF files with an open password — the content can only be viewed after entering the correct password. Encryption uses AES-256 and runs entirely in your browser, so files are never uploaded to a server. It is well suited for protecting contracts, financial records, and personal documents, and supports encrypting multiple PDFs in one batch.

Key Features

• Open password protection: set an open password with a confirmation field; a mismatch is flagged before processing.
• AES-256 encryption: uses the AES-256 algorithm compatible with mainstream PDF readers, so encrypted files open normally wherever you read PDFs.
• Permission restrictions (optional): optionally disallow printing, copying, and editing to limit what others can do after opening the document.
• Separate permission password (optional): the permission password can be left empty (defaults to the open password) or set separately — handy for "others can view, only you can change" scenarios.
• Batch processing: add multiple PDFs at once; they are encrypted in a queue with visible progress and can be stopped anytime.
• Individual and ZIP download: download each encrypted file separately with an auto "-encrypted" suffix, or pack all results into one ZIP.
• Preview before encrypting: a preview button lets you check each file's content before processing.

Use Cases

• Password-protecting contracts, agreements, and quotes before sending.
• Securing financial reports, payslips, and scanned ID documents from unauthorized access.
• Restricting printing and copying of courseware and reference materials.
• Applying the same password to a batch of PDFs at once.

How to Use

1. Click or drag one or more PDFs into the upload area.
2. Enter an open password, then type it again to confirm.
3. If needed, expand "Permissions" to disallow printing, copying, or editing, and optionally set a separate permission password.
4. Click "Encrypt" and wait for the batch to finish.
5. Download each result, or click "Download All (ZIP)" to save them together.

Open Password vs. Permission Password

An open password blocks unauthorized viewers — the file cannot be opened without it. A permission password controls what can be done after opening, such as printing, copying text, or editing. Permission restrictions are enforced by PDF readers as a convention; to truly protect the content itself, always set an open password.

FAQ

Q: Is this tool free?

A: Yes, completely free. No registration or software installation is required.

Q: Are my files safe? Are they uploaded to a server?

A: No. Encryption runs entirely in your browser; neither the PDFs nor the passwords are uploaded, and nothing is kept after you close the page.

Q: What if I forget the password? Can it be recovered?

A: No. Please remember your open password — a file cannot be opened without it, and this tool cannot crack or recover passwords for encrypted PDFs.

Q: Can I encrypt a PDF that is already protected?

A: Not directly. Please remove the existing password first, then upload the file for encryption.

Q: Can encrypted PDFs be opened on mobile?

A: Yes. AES-256 is a standard PDF encryption method; encrypted files open with the password in common PDF readers on both phones and computers.