Tools / PDF Redaction Checker

PDF Redaction Checker

Check whether a PDF was properly redacted. Detects fake redactions (black rectangles drawn over text), annotation overlays, and recoverable hidden content. For journalists, security auditors, and compliance teams. 100% browser-based, no upload, no signup.

PDF Redaction Checker

Upload a "redacted" PDF and check whether the redactions are real or fake. This tool reveals text that is hidden behind black rectangles, annotations, or invisible text — all in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

Important: This tool can only recover text from improperly redacted PDFs (i.e. black boxes drawn on top of text). Properly redacted PDFs are irreversible — the underlying text has been permanently deleted and cannot be recovered by anyone. This tool exists to help journalists, security auditors, and compliance teams verify that their redaction was actually done correctly.

Click to upload or drag and drop a PDF

Everything runs locally — your file never leaves your device

How this works

This tool scans the PDF for black filled rectangles, overlay annotations, and invisible text — the three most common ways that "redaction" is faked.
For each suspicious element, it checks whether the underlying text layer still contains content. If it does, that content was never actually deleted — meaning the redaction is broken.
If the text is truly gone (proper redaction), nothing will be recovered — that's the correct behaviour.
Everything runs locally in your browser. Your PDF is not uploaded, logged, or stored.

What is the PDF Redaction Checker?

It runs 100% in your browser — your files never leave your device, no signup is required, and there are no usage limits or watermarks.

How to Use the PDF Redaction Checker

Paste, drop, or type your input into the tool above.
Adjust the options to match what you need.
Preview the result before copying or downloading.
Everything is generated on your device — nothing is uploaded.

Why Use Our PDF Redaction Checker?

100% private — files never leave your device.
No signup, no email, no limits — completely free.
Works on any device — desktop, tablet, mobile.
No watermarks, no hidden fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PDF Redaction Checker free?

Yes — completely free with no signup, no email, and no usage limits.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Everything runs in your browser using JavaScript. Your files never leave your device.

Do I need to install anything?

No — just open this page in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).

Does the PDF Redaction Checker work on mobile?

Yes, on iOS and Android browsers. Very large files are best handled on desktop.

Is there a file size limit?

No hard limits. Files under 100 MB work well on most devices.

PDF Redaction Checker