How can we help?
Get started with the editor, pick the right tool for the job, and find answers to the questions we hear most.
Editing a PDF
Retype existing text, add text, images and shapes, and restyle anything you place.
Merge & split
Combine files in the order you want, or separate pages into independent documents.
Compress & optimize
Shrink a scan or a stack of images without losing the quality that matters.
Convert
Turn PDFs into Word, Excel, PowerPoint or images — and back again.
Sign & fill forms
Draw, type or upload a signature, and fill interactive form fields.
Protect & unlock
Add a password and permissions, or remove one from a PDF you own.
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Getting started
- Pick a tool — from the cards above, the search, or straight from the home page.
- Drop your file in and adjust whatever the tool offers — every change is previewed live.
- Download the result. Your upload is never modified, and every file is deleted automatically after two hours.
New to a tool? Almost every tool page ends with a “Step by step” guide, and the blog covers whole jobs — merging, signing, redacting — in depth.
Editing a PDF, step by step
- Open Edit PDF and choose a file — or drop it on the tool from the home page.
- Pick a tool from the toolbar, then click or drag on the page.
- Select any element to move or resize it; use the Properties panel to restyle it.
- Click Save to keep your edits as a draft and stay in the editor, or Save and Continue to finish — it opens the ready page where you can download, share or print the PDF.
Common questions
Are my files safe?
Every file is stored under an unguessable id and deleted automatically after two hours. Nothing is mailed to you and nothing is shared.
Why is a tool greyed out?
A few tools (grayscale, deskew, OCR, Office conversion) need native components that may not be enabled on every deployment. The page says which component is missing.
Can I edit existing text?
Yes — click Edit existing text and retype a line. The replacement keeps the original font, size and colour. Full glyph-level editing needs PyMuPDF; the portable engine still adds text, images and shapes.
Is there a watermark or a sign-up?
No watermark, ever, and no account is needed to use any tool.
What is the largest file I can upload?
The limit depends on the deployment — the home page and each tool print the current cap. Run Free PDF Editor locally or in Docker for larger files.
Do the tools work on my phone?
Yes — every tool runs in the mobile browser with no install. The full editor canvas is happiest on a desktop; merge, compress, sign and convert work fine on a phone.
Can I use the tools for business?
Yes — the browser tools are free for personal and commercial work alike. The paid Commercial plan adds API keys and credits for automation.
How do I convert Word to PDF?
Open Word to PDF and drop the .docx in — layout and images carry across. The reverse trip (PDF to Word) lives on pdf-to-word.
Where are the how-to guides?
Almost every tool page ends with a “Step by step” guide, and the blog walks through whole jobs — merging, splitting, signing, redacting — in depth.
Troubleshooting
My upload was rejected
Almost always the size cap: compress the PDF first (or split it), then upload again. The current cap is printed under the upload box.
My download didn’t start
Downloads can be blocked by pop-up settings — the ready page keeps the download button, so press it again there. On mobile, check the browser’s download notification.
I can’t select or search the text
That PDF is a scan — the pages are pictures with no text layer. Run OCR and the words become real, selectable text.
I didn’t get my sign-in code
Check the spam folder first, then the address for typos — the code rides the address the account was created with. The verify page can resend it after a short wait.
I forgot my password
Use Forgot password — a single-use reset link arrives by email and expires quickly. The link works once; request a fresh one if it lapses.
Accounts, credits & the API
Do I need an account at all?
No — every tool works signed-out. An account keeps your credits, API keys and settings together, and unlocks the Commercial plan.
What do credits cost, and do they expire?
Plans start at $30 a month for 10,000 credits — or $25 a month billed yearly (2 months free). Unused credits roll over and never expire. The full price list and per-tool costs are on the Plans & pricing page.
How do I get an API key?
Buy a plan (or apply on the API page); once the plan is active, create the key in My Account — one runs at a time, yours to rotate any time.
How do I delete my account?
Write to us and we remove the account and everything attached to it. There’s no self-serve button yet — that mail is enough.
Still stuck? The FAQ answers per tool and the blog has step-by-step guides.