Calculator
What the Redact PDF does
Redact PDF: finds each word or phrase in the text layer, covers it, and then rasterises every page that had a match so the underlying glyphs are destroyed rather than merely hidden. Everything runs in your browser and the file is never uploaded.
The Redact PDF works on a file you choose, without sending it anywhere. Everything runs on your own device, which means no waiting and no copy left on a server.
It is mostly used by anyone tidying a scanned document. A quick page edit should not require installing desktop software.
Nothing leaves the tab. You can watch your browser network panel while you use it and see for yourself.
The meaning of each field, the formula in use, and a worked example that starts from the default inputs are all further down.
What do the Redact PDF fields mean?
The Redact PDF uses 4 inputs. The defaults are there to be replaced. They exist so the tool is never showing an empty result.
| Field | What to enter | Default |
|---|---|---|
| PDF File | stays on your device | none |
| Words or phrases to redact (comma separated) | required | none |
| Match case | choose from No (recommended) or Yes | No (recommended) |
| Rasterised page quality | choose from Screen (1x), Good (2x) or Print (3x) | Good (2x) |
How does the Redact PDF work?
Each output is derived from the inputs above in a single pass; there is no hidden state carried between runs, so the same inputs always give the same calculation.
The tool refuses to guess: if a value is missing or impossible, it says so.
What a typical run looks like
You provide: PDF File, Words or phrases to redact (comma separated), Match case and Rasterised page quality
What happens: the file is read into memory by your browser, processed locally, and offered back as a download. It is never uploaded.
You get back: a processed file plus a short status summary in the tool panel.
The tab does the processing, so speed tracks your hardware and very large files fail on memory rather than on a quota.
How to use it
- Choose your file under PDF File, or drag it onto the drop area.
- Set Words or phrases to redact (comma separated).
- Pick a value for Match case: the options are No (recommended) or Yes.
- Pick a value for Rasterised page quality: the options are Screen (1x), Good (2x) or Print (3x).
- Press Redact.
- You get Status, Occurrences Covered, Pages Rasterised and Still Readable back.
- Both Copy Link and Print capture the current state, so pick whichever suits how you file things.
What this tool does not do
- Very large documents are limited by your device's available memory, not by a server quota.
- Encrypted or password-protected files must be unlocked before they can be processed.
- The output is a number, not a judgement. Deciding what it means is still your job.
- Performance scales with your own hardware, since no server does the work.
Frequently asked questions
PDF File, Words or phrases to redact (comma separated), Match case and Rasterised page quality, nothing else. A starting value is in place for each, letting you treat it as a what-if tool rather than a data-entry form.
It is not uploaded. Everything happens on your device, so no copy of your file exists on any server.
It costs nothing, and there is no limit on repeat use.
The logic is straightforward and testable; the worked example above uses the tool’s own defaults so you can verify it yourself.