Clean PDF Online Free — Remove Metadata & Annotations
Clean your PDF by removing document metadata (title, author, subject, keywords) and annotations. All processing stays in your browser — your file is never uploaded.
Cleaning Options
Cleaned PDF ready
PDF size: -
How to Clean a PDF Online
Remove hidden metadata and annotations from your PDF in seconds. No installs, no uploads, no signup. Your file stays on your device the entire time.
- Upload your PDF — drag and drop or click to choose your file.
- Choose what to remove — select whether to strip metadata, annotations, or both.
- Click "Clean PDF" — the tool processes your file in the browser and gives you a cleaned copy to download.
What Gets Removed
- Document metadata — title, author, subject, keywords, creator application, and producer information embedded in the PDF.
- Annotations — comments, highlights, sticky notes, stamps, text markups, and other review annotations on any page.
When to Clean a PDF
- Before sharing publicly — remove author names, company info, or editing history before posting online.
- Privacy protection — strip personal metadata from documents before sending to third parties.
- Professional submission — clean annotations and review comments before submitting final versions.
- Reduce file size — removing annotations can slightly reduce PDF size.
What This Tool Does NOT Do
This is a practical metadata and annotation cleaner — it is not a forensic-grade scrubber. It does not remove: XMP metadata streams, embedded files or attachments, digital signatures, form field data (use Flatten PDF Form for that), hidden text layers, or document structure elements. For most everyday privacy needs — removing author names and review comments — this tool does the job.
Privacy & Security
Your PDF never leaves your device. All cleaning happens locally in your browser using pdf-lib. We do not upload, store, or analyze your files.
FAQ
Will my PDF be uploaded to a server?
No. All processing happens in your browser using JavaScript. Your PDF never leaves your device.
What metadata is removed?
The tool clears the standard PDF document info fields: title, author, subject, keywords, creator (the application that made the PDF), and producer. These are the fields visible in PDF reader properties.
Can this remove digital signatures?
No. This tool does not remove or modify digital signatures or certificate-based security. It only cleans document metadata and annotations.
Will cleaning reduce file size?
Removing annotations can modestly reduce file size, especially for heavily annotated PDFs. Metadata removal alone has minimal impact on file size.
Is this a forensic-grade scrubber?
No. This tool removes common metadata and annotations. It does not remove XMP metadata streams, embedded files, or hidden objects. For forensic sanitization, specialized desktop tools are needed.
Does this work on mobile?
Yes, the tool works on mobile browsers. Processing happens locally on your device.
Can I undo the cleaning?
No. Once you download the cleaned PDF, the removed metadata and annotations cannot be recovered from that file. Keep your original PDF if you may need the removed data later.
What happens to form fields?
Form fields are not affected by this tool. If you want to make form fields permanent, use the Flatten PDF Form tool instead.