How to sign a PDF
- Open the PDF you need to sign by dropping it above. It opens in your browser — no upload.
- Create your signature. Press Signature and choose how: Draw it with a mouse, trackpad, finger or stylus; Type your name and pick one of four handwriting styles; or Upload a photo of your real signature and the white paper is removed automatically.
- Place it. Your signature appears in the middle of the page you’re looking at. Drag it into position and resize it with the corner handle. Use Initials, Date, Text and Mark for everything else a form asks for.
- Finish and download. Press Finish & download PDF. Your additions are flattened into the pages and you get a clean PDF with no watermark.
Tips for a signature that looks right
- Size matters. A real signature on a printed page is usually 4–6 cm wide. If yours looks enormous, drag the corner handle in.
- Use blue ink for originals. Some offices like blue because it makes an original easy to tell from a photocopy. The Draw and Type tabs have blue ink options.
- Keep the date format consistent. The Date button inserts today’s date in your browser’s format. Click the date to edit it if the form wants a specific format.
- Sign where it says sign. It sounds obvious, but placing a signature slightly off the line is one of the most common reasons forms get sent back.
Electronic signatures vs. “wet” signatures
For most agreements — leases, NDAs, freelance contracts, permission slips, HR forms, quotes and invoices — an electronic signature is legally as good as ink. What courts look for is evidence that you intended to sign that document. Keep the email or message where you sent or received the signed file; it’s useful evidence of who signed and when.
Some documents still need special handling. Wills, powers of attorney, deeds, and anything that must be witnessed or notarised often have formal requirements. In those cases, print the document and sign it in front of the required witness or notary, or use a remote online notary service where your local law allows it.
Why we don’t ask you to create an account
Most “free” PDF signing services upload your file to their servers, require an account, and add a watermark or limit you to a few documents a month until you subscribe. This tool works differently: everything — reading the PDF, drawing your signature, building the signed file — happens on your device using open-source libraries. There’s nothing to store, so there’s nothing to charge you for and nothing to leak.
Saved signatures stay in your browser’s local storage only if you choose Remember on this device. On a shared or public computer, leave that box unticked, or press Forget my signatures when you’re done.
Limits
This tool doesn’t create certificate-based digital signatures, doesn’t send documents to other people for signing, and doesn’t keep an audit trail. If you need those for regulated work, use a dedicated e-signature platform. For the everyday job of putting your signature on a PDF quickly and privately, this is all you need.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electronic signature like this legally valid?
In most countries, yes, for most everyday documents. In the US the ESIGN Act and UETA, in the EU the eIDAS regulation, and in the UK and Australia their electronic transactions laws recognise electronic signatures. Some documents — such as wills, certain property deeds and notarised documents — have special rules, so check if you're unsure.
Is this the same as a digital (certificate) signature?
No. This tool creates an electronic signature: an image of your signature stamped onto the page. A certificate-based digital signature cryptographically locks the file to a verified identity. Most contracts, forms and agreements only need an electronic signature.
Do you upload my PDF or my signature?
No. The PDF is edited in your browser. Signatures are only saved if you tick 'Remember on this device', and then only in your browser's local storage. Press 'Forget my signatures' to delete them.
What does 'flattened' mean?
Your signature, dates and text are drawn permanently into the page, and any fillable form fields are converted to plain content. Nobody can drag your signature to another document or edit the fields afterwards without it being obvious.
Can I sign on my phone?
Yes. Draw your signature with your finger in the Draw tab, then tap the page to place it. Drag to move it and use the corner handle to resize.
How do I remove the white background from a photo of my signature?
Use the Upload tab. Sign on white paper, take a photo in good light, and the tool turns the white paper transparent automatically. Adjust the Background removal slider until the edges look clean.
Can more than one person sign?
Yes. Each person can add their signature in turn on the same device, or you can sign, download, and send the signed file to the next person to sign with this tool.
Is there a watermark or page limit?
No watermark, no page limit and no daily limit. Very large files are only limited by your device's memory.