Skip to content

Annotate PDF

Highlight passages, draw on pages, and leave notes for review.

How to annotate PDF online

To annotate a PDF, open the document, choose Highlight, Underline, Strike, Draw, Shape, or Note from the toolbar, and mark up the page. Highlights are translucent bands you can drag over text. Click Save to download the annotated copy. Your file is never stored.

Step by step

Three steps. Most files take a few seconds.

  1. Step 1: Open your PDF

    Drop the file onto the page to open the annotation workspace.

  2. Step 2: Mark it up

    Highlight text, draw freehand, add arrows and boxes, or drop a note with a comment.

  3. Step 3: Save

    Click Save PDF and download the annotated version. The original is untouched.

Why use this tool

  • Review tools that matter

    Highlight, underline, strikethrough, pen, shapes, and sticky notes cover most review work.

  • Colour choices

    Pick from a small set of clear colours so different reviewers stand out.

  • Flattened output

    Marks are baked into the page, so they display everywhere, including viewers that hide annotations.

Your file is never stored

Your document is used only to produce the result you asked for. Once the download is ready and you leave the page, the file is gone. There is no copy to keep, no account that holds it, and nothing to delete later.

That makes it safe for invoices, contracts, bank statements, ID scans, medical records, and anything else you would rather keep to yourself.

Read how it works

Frequently asked questions

How do I highlight text in a PDF?

Choose Highlight, then drag across the area you want to mark. Adjust the band with the handles. Pick a colour from the toolbar before or after drawing.

Can I remove annotations later?

Before saving, select any mark and press Delete. After saving, marks are part of the page. Keep your original if you expect to revise.

Can several people annotate the same file?

Yes, one after another. Each person opens the latest copy, adds their marks in a different colour, and saves.

Is it safe to use this with confidential documents?

Yes. Your file is used only to produce the result you asked for and is never stored. We do not keep copies, read the contents, or share them with anyone. Once you download the result and close the page, the file is gone.

Is this really free?

Yes. Every tool on PDF Editor Box is free to use without signing up. We may show an ad outside the work area, but we never gate features, add watermarks to your output, or limit how many files you process.