Find it.Redact it.Gone.
Redact PDF documents entirely in your browser.
- Finds SSNs, emails, phones and card numbers
- Text is deleted, not covered up
- FOIA & privilege codes, plus a redaction log PRO
- No upload. No account. Works offline.
↑ psst — hover the black bar
How to use
1 · Open
Drop in any PDF. It opens right here in your browser and is never sent anywhere.
2 · Review
Sensitive details are highlighted automatically. Click to confirm each one, search for any name or word, or drag a box over anything else.
3 · Download
Your redacted copy downloads instantly. The blacked-out information is permanently removed — not just covered up.
A black rectangle is not a redaction
Court filings, leaked contracts, botched public-records releases — the classic mistake is a PDF where the "redacted" text is still sitting under a drawn rectangle, and anyone can copy and paste right through it. Blackout doesn't cover information up; it rebuilds each page with the sensitive text permanently removed. What you download is what everyone gets, and nothing more.
And you never have to upload a private document to a stranger's website just to black things out. Blackout does all its work on your own computer — the file never goes anywhere.
Pricing
Free
$0
- Documents up to 10 pages
- Auto-detection (SSN, email, phone, cards)
- Custom term search + manual boxes
- True flattened redaction
- No signup, no watermark
Pro
$25 one-time
- Unlimited pages
- FOIA & privilege exemption codes
- Numbered markers + redaction log page
- Everything in Free
- Lifetime updates
- Priority email support
FAQ
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything happens on your own computer, inside your browser. There's no upload, no account, and no company server holding your files. You can even load this page, turn off your Wi-Fi, and keep working.
Is the redacted text really gone?
Yes. Many tools just draw a black rectangle on top of the text, which anyone can copy-paste straight through. Blackout rebuilds each page as a flat image with the black boxes burned in, so the underlying text no longer exists in the exported file.
What does it detect automatically?
Social Security numbers, email addresses, phone numbers, and credit card numbers. You can also search for any custom word or name, and draw redaction boxes anywhere by hand.
Can I cite FOIA exemptions or privilege codes?
Yes, with Pro. Pick the FOIA exemption set or the litigation and privilege set, and every redaction carries a code. Because a code like (b)(7)(C) can't fit legibly inside a one-line black bar, Blackout puts a small numbered marker on each bar and appends a redaction log that lists every marker with its code and the stated basis for withholding — the way professional releases are prepared.
Does it work on scanned PDFs?
Automatic detection works on PDFs with selectable text (if you can highlight the words, it works). For scans that are essentially photos of paper, automatic search can't read them — but you can still draw redaction boxes anywhere by hand, on any PDF.
What's the catch with the free version?
Free covers documents up to 10 pages per export, which is most everyday redaction jobs. Pro ($25, one-time) removes the limit forever.
How do I reactivate Pro?
Pro remembers the browser you activated it on. If you cleared your browsing data, got a new computer, or want Pro on another device, enter the email you purchased with and we'll send you an activation link — it works on any device you open it on.
Why should I trust this?
The source code is public on GitHub, the site is a static page with no backend, no analytics, and no tracking scripts. Verify with your browser's network tab: after loading, nothing is transmitted.