How to use this tool
- Choose a PDF.
- Enter and confirm a strong password.
- Encrypt and download the protected PDF.
Secure & finish
Protect PDF
HugPDF password-protects PDF files locally in the browser. Files are never uploaded to a server for protection, and the password is not sent to HugPDF. The tool creates a new encrypted copy; keep the password safely because HugPDF cannot recover it.
HugPDF — free PDF tools that run in your browser. No uploads, no account, no watermark.
- ✓Local processing
- ✓No sign-up
- ✓Files never uploaded
Local processing
Protect PDF
No sign-upFiles never uploaded
Drop files here or choose from your deviceUp to 50 MB per file
Selected files
Files never uploaded
Working…0%
Your result
What this tool does
Set a user password and optional owner password. Encryption happens locally, and the password is never transmitted or stored by HugPDF.
Your files stay with youDocument processing runs locally in your browser. We do not receive, store or inspect the files you select.
How to use password protect PDF safely
Encrypt a PDF with a password directly in your browser. Protect contracts, statements, personal records and confidential attachments before storing or sending them.
Set a user password and optional owner password. Encryption happens locally, and the password is never transmitted or stored by HugPDF. The operation runs on your device: HugPDF does not send the document, its contents or a password to a processing server. You can keep the source file and inspect the new copy before sharing it.
It works in modern desktop and mobile browsers. Processing time depends on the file size and your device, so keep the page open until the download is ready and review the output before relying on it.
For the best result: Use a strong unique password and share it through a different channel; HugPDF cannot recover forgotten passwords.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you recover a forgotten password?
No. Keep the password safely; it is never sent to us.
Is the original file changed?
No. A new encrypted copy is created.