Redact a scanned PDF
Image-only scanned PDFs are OCRed automatically before review. Reading a scan takes longer than reading a digital PDF, so this page checks for up to 10 minutes. If the scan is still being processed after that, you can keep waiting on the same upload. The uploader on the home page checks for 3 minutes before it asks. The first completed document is free. No card is required.
Upload a scan
PDF, up to 10 pages and 25 MB
Drag and drop your PDF
or click to browse files
Digital or image-only scanned PDFs. Limits follow your plan.
Keep this tab open while the scan is processed.
Before you upload a scan
- A fully image-only PDF goes through OCR before review. A mixed digital-and-scan packet may need to be split first. Inspect every page and stop if OCR reports an error.
- OCR can take longer, and an unreadable scan stops with a clear error.
- Office files and standalone images are not supported.
After OCR
Review every suggested redaction before you apply it. OCR can misread a word, so read each page of the scan yourself as well. Selected text is permanently removed from the output, not covered by a movable box.
Scanned and blacked out already?
Many scanners add a searchable text layer behind the image. Blacking out the image does not remove this text. The free redaction checker shows whether it is still there. For how uploaded files are handled, read the privacy policy.