Is this PDF password protected?
Drop a PDF to check its security
Any PDF file
Works with Acrobat Word export Preview Scanners Any PDF
or paste a link (Ctrl+V) Paste a link
How it works
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Drop your file in the box above, or tap to choose one.
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We read the information saved inside it. This takes a few seconds.
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The answer appears right away, with a link you can share and the full details if you want them.
How PDF protection works
A PDF can be protected in two ways. An open password encrypts the whole file, so it can't be read without the password. A permissions password lets anyone open the file but asks apps to block printing, copying, editing or other actions.
This checker reads the PDF's security settings: whether it's encrypted, with what, and which actions it allows. It tells you why you can't print or copy from a PDF, or confirms that a file you're sending is protected the way you meant.
- Encryption method
- Open password
- Printing and copying
- Editing and forms
Questions and answers
How do I know if a PDF is password protected?
Drop it into the box above. We show whether it's encrypted, whether it needs a password to open, and which actions are allowed.
Why can't I copy text from a PDF?
The PDF may not allow copying in its permissions, or it may be a scan with no text at all. The checker shows which one.
Does this remove the password?
No. It only reads the security settings. Ask the sender for an unprotected copy if you need one.
What is the difference between AES and RC4?
AES is the modern, strong encryption used by current PDF software. RC4 is older and weak; files using it are easy to unlock.
Is my file uploaded safely?
Files are sent over an encrypted connection and deleted automatically after a while. A password-protected PDF stays encrypted: we can't read its content.
What happens to my file?
Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, read on our servers and deleted automatically after about 24 hours. The answer is kept on a page with its own link, so you can share it. Tool result pages are never listed in search engines.