How to password protect a PDF

pdfeditor.page · October 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Open your PDF in Encrypt PDF, type a password twice and choose Protect and save: the file is encrypted with AES-256 and won’t open without the password. Without an account, the PDF never leaves your device.

Three panels. Set a password: the Open password field filled in as dots, with the rule at least 12 characters. Choose what readers may do: under Readers may, Printing, Printing at full resolution and Changing the document ticked and Copying text and graphics unticked. It asks before it opens: a This PDF needs a password dialog for lease.pdf with a Password field, a note that the password is used for this one attempt and never stored, and Cancel and Open. — Set a password, choose what readers may do, and it asks before opening.

Lock a PDF in five steps

Open your PDF. Choose it in Encrypt PDF; Password & permissions opens.
Set the password. Type it in Open password and Repeat the open password: at least 12 characters, such as four or five random words.
Choose what readers may do. Under Readers may, untick any, such as Printing.
Type an Owner password. If you limited what readers may do, it’s required, and it lets you lift those limits later.
Choose Protect and save. The locked PDF downloads, and opens again here asking for its password.

Good to know

Permissions are advice. Readers that follow the rules honour them; only the open password is enforced by the encryption.
Take it off again. Unlock PDF removes the password from a PDF you can open.
Share less. A password hides nothing from someone who has it, so redact private details first.
Signing it first? Sign it without an account. Everything starts at pdfeditor.page, and there are 45 single-purpose tools at pdfeditor.page/tools.

Questions

What if I forget the password?

It can’t be recovered, because it’s never stored and the file can’t be decrypted without it.

How strong is the lock?

It uses AES-256, the strongest encryption the PDF format offers; a long password keeps it hard to guess.

Try it

Choose a PDF and type a password. No sign‑up, no install.

Password protect a PDF