Clean PDF Online — Free & Secure
Remove hidden data from a PDF before you share it: document properties, JavaScript, attachments, bookmarks, annotations, page thumbnails and private application data. You choose what goes.
- 1 Upload
- 2 Choose Settings
- 3 Download
Step 1 of 3: Upload your PDF
Drop your PDF file here
or choose a file from your device
PDF only • Up to 50 MB
Drag & drop • Click to browse • No signup required
Your file is processed securely and is automatically removed after processing. Your original is never changed.
- 1 Upload your PDF
- 2 Choose what to remove
- 3 Confirm and clean
- 4 Download the clean PDF
Reading your PDF…
- Sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection
- Deleted automatically, normally within 60 minutes
- No registration needed · Privacy Policy
Clean PDF
Tick the hidden data to remove, then download a clean copy.
- 1 Upload
- 2 Choose Settings
- 3 Download
Step 2 of 3: Choose what to clean
- Tip: the defaults suit most files you are about to share.
- Tip: leave Bookmarks unticked unless you do not want a contents panel.
Cleaning your PDF…
0%
Uploading your file…
PDF Preview
Here’s a look at your finished PDF.
Page 1 of 1
Result Summary
Save to Cloud (Optional)
Keep your file safe and accessible from anywhere.
Pick a folder in your own account, or share the file straight from here.
Useful Tips
- The result screen says what was found and removed in each category.
- Check the file properties in your PDF viewer to confirm the metadata is gone.
- Want to hide visible text? That needs Redact PDF.
✨ Did you know? You can also compress, crop, merge and more — all in one place!
Explore All ToolsWhat would you like to do next?
Remove hidden data from a PDF before sharing.
Getting started
- Upload your PDF.
- Tick what to remove.
- Confirm and download the clean PDF.
Key concepts
- Metadata
- Document properties such as title and author, plus the XMP packet that some programs add.
- JavaScript and actions
- Scripts and automatic actions. Removing them makes a PDF safer to open.
- Attachments
- Files embedded in the PDF or pinned to a page.
- Private data
- Application-specific data some programs keep inside a PDF.
- Your original
- It is never changed.
Tips & shortcuts
- Bookmarks and annotations are off by default because many people want to keep them.
- Unused objects are dropped automatically when the file is rebuilt.
- Enter confirms · Esc closes a dialog · ? opens this panel.
Did you know? Switching to another tool in the sidebar carries your file over automatically — no need to re-upload.
Still stuck? Read the questions below or contact support and we'll help.
What Is Clean PDF?
Clean PDF removes data you cannot see but that travels with a PDF: document properties and XMP metadata, JavaScript and automatic actions, embedded files and attachments, page thumbnails and private application data. Optionally it also removes bookmarks and annotations.
It is a good last step before you email or publish a file. What you see on the pages is not changed. The result screen lists what was found and removed in each category, and unused objects are dropped when the file is rebuilt.
When to Use It
- Remove the author and software details before publishing a PDF
- Strip scripts and automatic actions from a file you are about to share
- Drop hidden attachments from a document
- Remove leftover thumbnails and private application data
- Prepare a tidy, minimal copy of a PDF
Step-by-Step Guide
Upload your PDF.
Tick the kinds of hidden data to remove.
Confirm and clean.
Download the clean PDF and check its properties.
Tips
- The default selection suits most files you are about to share
- Visible text and pictures stay — use Redact PDF to hide them
- Keep bookmarks if readers use the side-panel contents
- For metadata alone, Remove PDF Metadata is quicker
- For just comments and links, use Remove PDF Annotations
Troubleshooting
Problem: The result says nothing was found
Solution: That category simply was not in the file. It was already clean in that respect.
Problem: A link or comment is still there
Solution: Tick Links, comments and markup. It is off by default.
Problem: The contents panel disappeared
Solution: Bookmarks were ticked. Run it again from your original with Bookmarks unticked.
Problem: My file will not upload
Solution: Confirm it is a real PDF under 50 MB. Unlock password-protected files first with Unlock PDF.
Clean PDF FAQ
What is hidden data in a PDF?
Document properties, metadata, scripts, embedded files, thumbnails and application data that are stored inside the file but not shown on the pages.
Will it change how the pages look?
No. Visible text and pictures are not touched.
Does it remove text I can see?
No. To permanently remove visible text or images, use Redact PDF.
Why are bookmarks and annotations off by default?
Many readers rely on them, so you have to opt in to remove them.
Can I undo it?
Not from the new file. Your original is never changed, so keep it.
Are my files kept?
No. Your uploads and the result are deleted automatically a short time after processing.
Privacy & Security
Your files are handled securely
Uploads are transferred over an encrypted connection and processed in an isolated job folder. Your original files are never modified — the result is always a new, separate file. Files are deleted automatically a short time after processing. For very sensitive documents, read our Privacy Policy.
Ready to Try It?
It is free and takes just a few seconds.
Upload Your File