Redact a PDF So the Text Is Really Gone
Redaction has one requirement that a black box fails: the text must be gone from the file, not merely covered on the page.
What this tool does
Removes content for good rather than covering it: anything under a redaction mark is destroyed in the saved file, not hidden behind a black box. Smart detection finds cards, emails, phone numbers, IDs, IBANs and labelled names for review before you commit.
How it works
Draw over what must go, or run Smart detect and check each mark it proposes, then apply. The output is a new file, and the original still holds the data — delete it if the point was to remove it. Redact is also a paid API route (POST /v1/redact-pdf); key handling and credit costs are on Plans & pricing, and the storage rules on the Privacy Policy.
- Choose the PDF, or drag it onto the page.
- Run the tool and download the result.
When to reach for it
- Names, account numbers or addresses must go. Marks destroy the content in the saved PDF.
- Smart detection should find the patterns. It can locate card numbers and emails to mark.
Questions we get
Can I run Redact from the API?
Yes — POST /v1/redact-pdf is live and costs 5 credits. Send the PDF with a bearer key; apply=1 returns the redacted file. See the API page for the request fields.
Where it fits
The tools people usually open next to Redact:
- Unlock — Remove restrictions and password from PDF files
- Protect — Protect file with password and permissions
- Deskew — Automatically straighten and deskew scanned PDF pages.
Every tool works on a copy, so the original file is never modified. Uploads are stored under an unguessable id and deleted automatically two hours after you last open them; nothing is listed, shared or indexed. More on the security page.