Password-protect a PDF
Add a password that's needed to open your PDF, and choose whether people can print, copy or edit it. Encryption uses AES-256 and runs in your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
Quick answer
How do I put a password on a PDF for free?
Add the file to Mergevanta's Protect PDF tool, type a password twice and press Protect PDF. The file is encrypted with 256-bit AES in your browser, so it never leaves your device. You can also block printing, copying or editing, and there's no watermark or sign-up.
- Price
- Free
- Watermark
- None
- Sign-up
- Not required
- Accepts
- You get
- A password-protected .pdf
- Processing
- In your browser — files never leave your device
- Files stored
- Never
- Works on
- Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android
Updated
Why use Mergevanta to password-protect a PDF
AES-256 encryption
The strongest encryption in the PDF standard, supported by every current PDF reader.
Never uploaded
Encryption runs in your browser, so the file and its password stay on your device.
Control what people do
Allow or block printing, copying text, editing, comments and changes to the pages.
Password strength check
A live hint tells you whether your password is weak, fair or strong before you lock the file.
How to password-protect a PDF with Mergevanta
- 1
Click Choose PDF and pick your file.
- 2
Type a password under Password to open the PDF, then again under Type it again.
- 3
Under What people can do once it's open, set Printing and switch off anything you want to block.
- 4
Press Protect PDF, then Download.