Protect PDF

Add password protection to your PDF files. Set permissions and secure your documents.

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Select PDF file

or drop PDF here

How does PDF password protection work?

PDF password protection uses encryption to restrict access to a document. There are two distinct password types: the user password (open password) prevents opening the file without the correct passphrase, and the owner password controls permissions such as printing, copying, and editing. PDFLE lets you set both independently — you can require a password to open the document, restrict what recipients can do with it, or both. The permissions you set are enforced by compliant PDF viewers including Adobe Acrobat, Preview on macOS, and most browser-based PDF readers.

How to add password protection to a PDF — step by step

  1. Upload your PDF — click "Select PDF file" or drag the file into the drop zone.
  2. Set a user password (optional) — enter a password in the "Open Password" field if you want recipients to enter a password before they can open the document.
  3. Set an owner password (required) — enter a password in the "Owner Password" field to control permissions. This password is required to change or remove protections later.
  4. Configure permissions — choose which actions to allow: printing, copying text, or editing. Uncheck permissions you want to restrict.
  5. Click "Protect PDF" — PDFLE encrypts the document with the specified passwords and permissions.
  6. Download the protected PDF — save and distribute the protected file.

When to password-protect a PDF

  • Sending a confidential contract that should only be opened by the intended recipient
  • Distributing a report that must be read-only — preventing recipients from editing or copying content
  • Protecting a PDF template or form from being modified outside your organization
  • Securing sensitive personal data (tax returns, medical records) stored as PDF
  • Restricting printing of a licensed document distributed to subscribers

Use a strong, unique password for your owner password and store it securely — if you lose it, you cannot change the protection settings. The user password should be shared only with intended recipients through a secure channel separate from the PDF file itself.

Related tools: sign the PDF before adding password protection, unlock a protected PDF when you have the password, or add a watermark as an additional security measure.