How to Sign a PDF Online

Add your signature to any PDF — draw it, type it, or upload one — free and entirely in your browser, with nothing uploaded to a server.

You get a PDF that needs your signature — a consent form, a lease, an agreement — and suddenly it's a whole ordeal: print it, sign it, scan it back, and email it. There's a much faster way. You can add your signature to a PDF right in your browser in under a minute, without printing anything and without handing your document to a cloud service. Best of all, it's free and completely private: your file and your signature never leave your device.

That last part is the real advantage over tools like DocuSign or Adobe Acrobat online. Those services upload your document to their servers to process it. Our sign PDF tool does everything locally in your browser — so a contract, a medical form, or anything confidential stays yours alone.

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Open your document, add a signature, place it on the page, and download — all processed locally, nothing uploaded.

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Step-by-step: sign a PDF in your browser

  1. Open the sign PDF tool and load your document by dragging it in or tapping to browse.
  2. Create your signature. Choose one of three ways — draw it with your mouse, trackpad, or finger; type your name and let it render in a signature-style font; or upload an image of your real handwritten signature.
  3. Drop the signature onto the page and drag it into position on the signature line.
  4. Resize it with the handles so it fits neatly without covering nearby text. Repeat on any other page that needs signing or initialing.
  5. Click Download to save your signed PDF. The signature is now part of the document.

Drawn vs. typed vs. image signatures

All three work the same way once they're on the page — the choice is about look, speed, and what device you're on.

Method Best for Good to know
Draw A natural, personal signature — especially on a phone or tablet with a finger or stylus. A trackpad or mouse takes a little practice; redo it until it looks right.
Type Fast approvals, initials, and dates where legibility matters more than a handwritten look. Renders in a script font — clean and consistent every time.
Upload Matching your real ink signature exactly across documents. A transparent PNG looks cleanest; a photo on white may show a faint box.

Tips and common pitfalls

  • Size it to the line. A signature that's too big overlaps the text underneath. Shrink it so it sits just above the signature line.
  • Don't forget the extra fields. Many forms need a date and initials too — add those before you download so you're not re-signing later.
  • Use a transparent PNG for uploads. A photo of a signature on white paper can leave a visible rectangle over the form. A background-free PNG blends in cleanly.
  • Check every page. Multi-page agreements often ask for initials on each page — scroll through and confirm before saving.
  • Need a password on it afterward? Lock the signed file with our password-protect PDF tool, or read the how-to guide.

Electronic signature vs. digital signature — the honest version

It's worth being clear about what this tool does and doesn't do. It applies an electronic (visual) signature — your drawn, typed, or uploaded mark placed onto the page. For the vast majority of everyday documents, that's exactly what's expected and it's widely accepted as legally valid.

It is not a certificate-based digital signature, which cryptographically seals the file and can prove it hasn't been altered since signing. If a document specifically requires a verified digital certificate, notarization, or tamper-evidence, use a dedicated e-signature provider for that step. For normal forms, agreements, and approvals, a clean visual signature does the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an electronic signature like this legally valid? ▼
In most countries a clear electronic signature — drawn, typed, or an image of your handwritten one — is legally accepted for everyday agreements, forms, and consent under laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act and the EU's eIDAS regulation. That said, this tool applies a visual signature, not a certificate-based digital signature that cryptographically locks the document. For high-stakes contracts that require notarization or a verified digital certificate, check what the specific document or authority demands.
Do my documents get uploaded to a server? ▼
No. The whole process runs inside your browser on your own device. Your PDF and your signature never leave your computer and are never sent to us or any third party — which is the key difference from cloud services like DocuSign or Adobe, where your file is uploaded to their servers.
What's the difference between drawing, typing, and uploading a signature? ▼
Drawing lets you sign with a mouse, trackpad, or finger for the most natural, personal look. Typing turns your name into a signature-style font — fast and legible, good for initials and quick approvals. Uploading lets you use a photo or scan of your real handwritten signature (a transparent PNG looks cleanest). All three place the same way; pick whichever suits the document.
Can I resize and move the signature after placing it? ▼
Yes. Once your signature is on the page you can drag it to the right spot and resize it with the handles so it sits neatly on the signature line without overlapping other text. Position it before you download — the placement is baked into the final file.
Can I sign on more than one page or add a date? ▼
You can place a signature on any page that needs one — just navigate to the page and drop it where required. For a date, you can type it as a typed signature or add it with a text tool before signing. Initial pages the same way you sign the last one.
Will the signed PDF still be editable or could someone change my signature? ▼
The signature is drawn onto the page as part of the document, so it displays consistently everywhere the PDF opens. Because this is a visual signature rather than a cryptographically sealed one, it does not tamper-lock the file. If you need proof that a document hasn't been altered after signing, you'll want a certificate-based digital signature from a dedicated e-signature provider.

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