Annotate a PDF: highlight, draw and write notes
Mark up a PDF the way you would on paper. Highlight lines, write in the margin, circle a mistake, point at something with an arrow or tick off answers. Your marks are saved into a new copy of the PDF, and the file is never uploaded.
How to do it
- Drop your PDF on the page, or press «Choose file».
- Pick a tool: «Pen», «Highlight», «Text», «Arrow», «Box», «Circle», «Tick» or «Cross».
- Choose the color and size, then mark the page. «Undo» and «Eraser» remove what you added.
- Press «Apply to PDF», then «Save».
Good to know
- Drag the highlighter along a line of text and it snaps straight, as tall as the text. On a scanned page there is no text to follow, so the stroke stays exactly as you draw it.
- What you add becomes part of the page in the saved file, so it shows up in every PDF reader and when printed. Keep your original if you might want a clean copy later.
- This tool adds notes on top of the page. It does not change the words that are already printed in the PDF.
Questions
How do I highlight text in a PDF for free?
Open the PDF here, pick «Highlight», choose a color and drag along the lines you want marked. Then press «Apply to PDF» and save. There is no account and no watermark.
How do I write or draw on a PDF?
Use «Text» to tap a spot and type, or «Pen» to draw freehand with a mouse, a finger or a stylus. Arrows, boxes and circles are there for pointing things out.
Can I annotate a PDF on an iPad or phone?
Yes. The page works in Safari, Chrome and Samsung Internet on tablets and phones. Draw with your finger or a stylus and zoom in for small details.