Important: White out only covers content visually. It does not delete the data underneath, so the text can still be selected, copied or found, and anyone who edits the PDF can remove the shape. For private information such as ID numbers, account numbers or names, use redaction instead. Redact PDF permanently
Need to White Out Text in a PDF? Here's How
You have a PDF with a typo, an outdated line or a mark you would rather not see. Whatever the reason, whiting out content in a PDF is quick and simple with the right tool.
The good news? You don't need expensive software like Adobe Acrobat. Our free PDF editor handles white out directly in your browser. Just open your PDF, use the Shape tool to cover what you want hidden, and save your clean document.
In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to white out text and images in a PDF using our Shape tool. You'll learn the best settings for completely covering content and when white out is the right choice. Let's get started.
Why Would You Want to White Out PDF Content?
People white out content in PDFs for several practical reasons:
Cover a Typo or Outdated Text
Hide a wrong date, an old price or a typo in your own copy without recreating the whole document.
Cover Unwanted Images or Logos
Cover watermarks, old logos, or images that shouldn't appear in the final document version.
Tidy a Page for Printing
Cover margin notes or draft marks on your own copy so the printed page looks clean.
Clean Up Scanned Documents
Hide scanner artifacts, stray marks, or unwanted elements that appeared during the scanning process.
Create Templates
Cover filled-in fields to turn an old form into a template for your own use.
Know When Not to Use It
White out is for looks only. For ID numbers, account numbers or anything private that you share, use Redact PDF instead.
How to White Out in PDF: Step-by-Step
Using the Shape tool in our PDF editor, you can create white out areas in just a few steps:
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Open Your PDF
Drag and drop your PDF into the editor, or click "Choose PDF File" to browse. Your document opens directly in your browser and stays completely private. -
Select the Shape Tool
Click on the Shape tool in the toolbar. The rectangle shape is perfect for creating clean white out areas that cover text or images precisely. -
Choose White (or Background) Color
Set both the fill color and border color to white—or match your page's background color. This ensures the shape blends seamlessly with the page. -
Set Fill Opacity to 100%
Make sure the fill opacity is set to 100%. This completely covers the underlying content so nothing shows through the white out area. -
Draw Over Content to Hide
Click and drag to draw rectangles over any text, images, or content you want to white out. Adjust the size and position as needed.
Pro Tip: For non-white backgrounds, match the shape color to your page background color. This creates an invisible white out effect that blends seamlessly with the page.
Video Demo
Understanding PDF White Out
Our white out method uses the Shape tool to place opaque rectangles over content. This visually hides the content underneath without actually deleting the original data from the PDF file.
White Out vs Redaction: Which Do You Need?
White out covers content visually, like correction tape on paper. The original data stays in the file, so anyone can select, copy or search it, and whoever edits the PDF can remove the box. Redaction permanently removes the data. If the information is private, use redaction. Redact PDF permanently
Covering Images and Graphics
The Shape tool works on any visual content—not just text. You can white out logos, photos, charts, signatures, or any graphical element. Just draw a shape large enough to cover what you want hidden.
Common Questions
Is white out safe for sensitive information?
No. White out only covers content visually. The text underneath stays in the file and can still be selected, copied or searched. For anything private, use Redact PDF, which removes the content from the file. Redact PDF permanently
Can I white out multiple areas at once?
Yes! Simply draw as many shapes as you need. Each rectangle you create becomes a separate white out area that you can adjust independently.
Can I undo a white out?
Yes, before saving you can select and delete any shape. After saving, the white out becomes part of the document. Keep your original file if you might need to undo later.
Can I white out on colored backgrounds?
Yes! Just set your shape colors to match the background. Use any color that blends with your page—it doesn't have to be white.
Does white out work on scanned PDFs?
Absolutely. Since scanned PDFs are essentially images, the Shape tool covers the visual content just as effectively as on text-based PDFs.
Will white out affect the PDF quality?
No. Adding shapes doesn't compress or degrade the rest of your PDF. Text and images outside the white out areas remain at their original quality.
Wrapping Up
Whiting out content in PDFs is simple with the Shape tool. Cover text, images, or any content with colored rectangles that blend into your page. Everything happens in your browser, so files stay private and the process is fast and free. Ready to try it? Open PDF Editor