Change PDF Permissions
Restrict printing, copying, editing, and more. Readers open the PDF normally, but can't perform restricted actions without the owner password.
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Permission Settings
Toggle off any action you want to restrict. All are allowed by default.
Required. This password can later be used to remove these restrictions.
Allow printing
Readers can print the document
Allow high-resolution printing
Allow high-quality prints (requires printing enabled)
Allow copy text/images
Readers can select and copy content
Allow editing document
Modify content other than annotations and assembly
Allow annotations & form filling
Add comments, highlights, and fill form fields
Allow inserting/removing pages
Document assembly: add, remove, or rotate pages
Drop PDF here
or click to browse
Change PDF Permissions — Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between user and owner passwords?
A user password is required to open the file. An owner password controls what users can do after opening — print, copy, edit, etc. This tool sets only the owner password so readers can open the file normally but cannot perform restricted actions.
Are PDF permissions actually enforced?
Most PDF readers (Adobe, Preview, Firefox, Chrome) honor permissions. Technically, tools exist that can bypass them because the file itself is still decryptable. Permissions are a deterrent, not a hard lock. For true protection, combine with a user password using our Protect PDF tool.
Can I later remove these restrictions?
Yes, if you know the owner password. Use our PDF Unlock tool — it removes all permission restrictions and decrypts the file.
What encryption is used?
AES-256, the same standard used by modern Protect PDF tools. We use qpdf compiled to WebAssembly — the same engine trusted by many desktop PDF tools.
What's the difference between user and owner passwords?
A user password is required to open the file. An owner password controls what users can do after opening — print, copy, edit, etc. This tool sets only the owner password so readers can open the file normally but cannot perform restricted actions.
Are PDF permissions actually enforced?
Most PDF readers (Adobe, Preview, Firefox, Chrome) honor permissions. Technically, tools exist that can bypass them because the file itself is still decryptable. Permissions are a deterrent, not a hard lock. For true protection, combine with a user password using our Protect PDF tool.
Can I later remove these restrictions?
Yes, if you know the owner password. Use our PDF Unlock tool — it removes all permission restrictions and decrypts the file.
What encryption is used?
AES-256, the same standard used by modern Protect PDF tools. We use qpdf compiled to WebAssembly — the same engine trusted by many desktop PDF tools.