Password Protect PDF Online
Add a password to any PDF in seconds. Set an open password, an owner password, and control printing, copying, and editing permissions — all with 128-bit AES encryption.
How to Password Protect a PDF
Upload Your PDF
Click the upload area or drag and drop your PDF. The file is read locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded to any server.
Set Your Password & Permissions
Enter an open password (required to open the file) and/or an owner password (controls editing, printing, and copying). Toggle permissions as needed.
Download Protected PDF
Click Protect PDF and download your encrypted document instantly. 128-bit AES encryption is applied in your browser — no signup or email needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an open password and an owner password?
An open password (also called user password) is required every time someone tries to open the PDF. An owner password controls what viewers can do once the PDF is open — such as printing, copying text, or editing. You can set one or both passwords.
What encryption does PDFForge use to protect PDFs?
PDFForge uses 128-bit AES encryption, which is the PDF 1.6 standard. This is the same encryption level used by Adobe Acrobat and other professional PDF tools. It provides strong security for sensitive documents.
Can I prevent someone from printing or copying my PDF?
Yes. Under the Permissions section, you can disable printing and copying. Note that determined users with advanced tools may be able to bypass permission restrictions — for truly sensitive content, an open password is the strongest protection.
Is my PDF safe when I protect it online?
Completely safe. All encryption happens locally in your browser. Your PDF and your password are never sent to any server. We have zero access to your files or passwords.
What happens if I forget the open password?
If you forget the open password, you will not be able to open the PDF. There is no way to recover it without specialized software. Make sure to keep a record of your password — or use our Unlock PDF tool if you still have access.
Can I password-protect an already-encrypted PDF?
Yes. PDFForge will read the existing PDF (bypassing any owner-level encryption) and re-encrypt it with your new password and settings.
Will adding a password increase the PDF file size?
Only slightly — encryption adds a small amount of metadata to the file. For most PDFs, the size increase is less than 1 KB.