Restrict printing, copying and editing in a PDF
Stop a PDF from being edited, copied or printed while still letting anyone open it without a password. AES-256 with an owner password only you keep. Nothing is uploaded.
Runs in your browser — this file is never uploaded
How to restrict printing, copying and editing in a PDF
- 1
Open your PDF
Drop in the document you want to share without letting people change it.
- 2
Choose what is allowed
Untick editing, copying, printing, comments or form filling. An owner password is generated for you; keep it if you will want to change the document later.
- 3
Download
Anyone can still open the file with no password, but their PDF reader will block the things you turned off.
Frequently asked
How is this different from Protect PDF?+
Protect PDF puts a password on opening the file. Restrict PDF lets anyone open it without a password but limits what they can do with it: print, copy text, edit, comment or fill forms.
Can the restrictions be bypassed?+
Mainstream readers like Adobe Acrobat, Preview and browsers honour them, but they are a request built into the file, not a lock: some tools ignore them. For anything that must stay private, use Protect PDF so a password is needed to open it at all.
What is the owner password for?+
It lets you, the owner, lift the restrictions later, for example with Unlock PDF. A strong one is generated for you; save it somewhere safe.
Is my file uploaded?+
No. The file is encrypted (AES-256) inside your browser.
Is Restrict PDF free to use?+
Yes. Restrict PDF is free and unlimited, with no account and no watermark added to your document.
Are my files uploaded to a server?+
No. Restrict PDF runs entirely inside your browser, so the document never leaves your device.
Which browsers does it work in?+
Any current version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari, on desktop, tablet and phone.