How to Sign PDF Online Free

Need to Sign a PDF? Here's How to Do It Online

We've all been there. Someone sends you a PDF that needs your signature. Maybe it's a contract, a permission form, or an agreement. The old way? Print it out, sign it with a pen, scan it back into your computer, and email it. That's at least 10 minutes of hassle, plus you need a printer and scanner.

There's a better way. You can sign PDFs right in your browser without printing anything. Draw your signature once, save it if you want, and add it to any document with a single click. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you know what you're doing.

In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to add your signature to a PDF online. Whether you're signing a single document or dozens of forms, this method works the same way every time. Let's get started.

Why Sign PDFs Electronically?

Before we jump into the how-to, let's talk about why electronic signatures make sense:

It's Faster
No printing, no scanning, no trips to the printer. Open the PDF, sign it, and send it back. Done in under a minute.

It's Paperless
Save paper, ink, and the environment. Electronic signatures eliminate the need for physical documents entirely.

It's Legal
In most countries, electronic signatures are legally binding. They're valid for contracts, agreements, and most official documents under laws like the ESIGN Act (US) and eIDAS (EU).

It Works Anywhere
On your laptop, phone, or tablet. No matter where you are, you can sign a document as long as you have a browser.

You Can Reuse Your Signature
Draw your signature once, save it, and use it on every future document. No need to redraw it every time.

It's Secure
Your documents are processed in your browser. Nothing gets sent to our servers, so your sensitive files stay private.

How to Sign a PDF: Step-by-Step

Here's the complete process. It's simple, but I'll walk you through every step so there's no confusion.

1. Open Your PDF Drag your PDF file into the box above, or click "Choose PDF File" to browse. Your document opens in the editor immediately. You'll see the full PDF displayed on your screen.
2. Click the Sign Tool Look at the left sidebar of the editor. You'll see a row of tool icons. Click the one that says "Sign" (it looks like a pen or signature icon). A signature panel will appear.
3. Customize Your Signature (Optional) Before you draw, you can customize how your signature will look. There are options for pen thickness (thin, medium, or thick lines) and pen color (black, blue, or other colors). Choose what looks best to you. Most people stick with black or blue for a professional look. You can always adjust these settings before drawing or redraw with different settings if you want to change the look.
4. Draw Your Signature In the signature panel, you'll see a blank canvas. Use your mouse (or finger if you're on a touchscreen) to draw your signature. Write it like you normally would on paper. Don't worry if it's not perfect the first time—you can clear it and redraw as many times as you want.
5. Choose How to Save It Once your signature looks good, you have two options:
   "Use Signature" – This uses your signature for this document only. It doesn't save it for future use.
   "Save & Use" – This saves your signature in your browser so you can reuse it on other PDFs without drawing it again. Your signature is stored locally on your device, not on our servers.
6. Place Your Signature on the PDF After you click "Use Signature" or "Save & Use," your cursor will change. Now click anywhere on the PDF where you want your signature to appear. A signature image will appear at that spot. You can drag it around to reposition it, and use the corner handles to resize it. Place it exactly where it needs to go.
7. Export Your Signed PDF When you're happy with the placement, click the "Export" button at the top of the editor. Your signed PDF will download to your device. That's it—you're done! The document is ready to email, save, or print.

Customizing Your Signature

Let's talk about those customization options in more detail. They might seem minor, but they can make your signature look more professional.

🖊️ Pen Thickness

Pen thickness controls how bold your signature looks. You usually have a few options:

• Thin: A delicate, light signature. Good if you have neat handwriting and want a refined look.
• Medium: The default option. Works for most signatures and looks balanced.
• Thick: A bold, prominent signature. Good if you want your signature to stand out or if you're signing on a small device and need thicker lines for clarity.

Most people go with medium. If your signature looks too faint when you draw it, switch to thick. If it looks clunky, try thin.

🎨 Pen Color

Color options let you match your signature to your preference or the document's requirements:

• Black: The most common choice. Professional and works on any document.
• Blue: Traditional for contracts and legal documents. Some organizations specifically request blue ink to distinguish originals from copies.
• Other colors: Some tools offer additional colors. Use them if you want, but stick to black or blue for professional documents.

✏️ Redrawing Your Signature

Made a mistake? No problem. Look for a "Clear" or "Redo" button in the signature panel. Click it, and the canvas resets. You can redraw your signature as many times as you need until it looks right.

Should You Save Your Signature?

When you create a signature, you'll see two buttons: "Use Signature" and "Save & Use." Here's the difference:

"Use Signature" (One-Time Use)

This option uses your signature for the current document only. Once you close the editor, your signature is gone. Next time you open a PDF, you'll need to draw it again.

When to use this: If you're on a shared or public computer and don't want your signature saved on the device. Or if you rarely sign PDFs and don't mind redrawing your signature each time.

"Save & Use" (Save for Future Use)

This option saves your signature in your browser's local storage. The next time you open a PDF and click the Sign tool, your saved signature will be available. You can use it instantly without redrawing it.

When to use this: If you're on your personal device and you sign PDFs regularly. It's a huge time-saver. Your signature is stored locally on your device—it never leaves your browser.

Is It Safe to Save Your Signature?

Yes, if you're using your own device. Your saved signature is stored in your browser's local storage, which means it stays on your computer or phone. It's not sent to any server, and other people can't access it unless they have physical access to your device.

If you're using a shared computer (like at a library or office), use "Use Signature" instead of "Save & Use" to avoid leaving your signature behind.

Common Signing Scenarios (And How to Handle Them)

Let me walk you through some specific situations you might encounter:

✍️ "I need to sign in multiple places"

No problem. After you place your signature in the first spot, just click the Sign tool again to add another signature. You can place as many signatures as you need on the same document. Each one can be resized and repositioned independently.

✍️ "The signature is too big/too small"

After you place your signature on the PDF, you'll see corner handles around it. Click and drag a corner handle to resize it. Hold Shift while dragging to maintain the signature's proportions (so it doesn't get stretched or squished). Make it as big or small as you need to fit the signature line.

✍️ "I placed the signature in the wrong spot"

Just click on the signature and drag it to the correct position. You can move it anywhere on the page. If you want to delete it entirely, select it and press the Delete key or look for a delete/trash icon.

✍️ "I need to add initials, not a full signature"

When the signature panel opens, just draw your initials instead of your full signature. The tool doesn't know the difference—it'll save whatever you draw. You can have multiple saved signatures, so you could save both your full signature and your initials if you want.

✍️ "I'm signing on my phone and it's hard to draw"

Drawing with your finger can be tricky. A few tips:

• Use a thicker pen setting so the lines are easier to see
• Write larger than you normally would. You can resize it down after placing it on the PDF
• If you have a stylus, use it. It's much more precise than a finger
• Take your time. You can always clear and redraw

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding?

This is a common question, and the short answer is: yes, in most cases.

In the United States, electronic signatures are legally binding under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce (ESIGN) Act, passed in 2000. In the European Union, they're recognized under the eIDAS regulation. Most other countries have similar laws.

Electronic signatures are valid for:

• Employment contracts
• Sales agreements
• Lease agreements
• Business contracts
• Permission forms
• Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
• Most other types of legal documents

There are a few exceptions where electronic signatures might not be accepted:

• Wills and trusts (in some jurisdictions)
• Court orders
• Some government documents
• Adoption papers
• Divorce decrees

If you're unsure whether an electronic signature is acceptable for a specific document, check with the requesting party or consult a legal professional.

What If I Make a Mistake After Exporting?

If you export your signed PDF and then realize you made a mistake (signature in the wrong place, misspelled something else, etc.), don't worry. Just reload the original PDF into the editor and sign it again. Your original unsigned document doesn't change when you export—it creates a new file.

This is one of the advantages of electronic signing. With a physical signature, you'd have to start over with a fresh printout. Here, you can just re-open the file and fix whatever needs fixing.

Troubleshooting: When Things Don't Work as Expected

❓ "The Sign tool isn't showing up"

Make sure your PDF has fully loaded. Large files can take a moment. You should see page thumbnails on the left sidebar. If you don't see the Sign tool after the PDF loads, try refreshing your browser.

❓ "I can't draw my signature smoothly"

This usually happens on trackpads or when using a finger on a small screen. Try these fixes:

• Draw slower. Quick strokes can cause jagged lines
• Use a thicker pen setting
• If you're on a laptop, use a mouse instead of a trackpad
• On mobile, use a stylus if you have one

❓ "My saved signature disappeared"

Saved signatures are stored in your browser's local storage. If you cleared your browser cache or browsing data, your signature was deleted. You'll need to redraw and save it again. To prevent this in the future, avoid clearing your browsing data, or at least uncheck "cookies and site data" when you do.

❓ "The signature looks pixelated or blurry"

If your signature looks fuzzy after you export, try redrawing it with smoother, more deliberate strokes. Also, make sure you're not resizing it too much after placing it. Enlarging a signature significantly can make it look pixelated.

❓ "Can I change my saved signature?"

Yes. When you open the Sign tool, you should see your saved signature. Look for an option to delete or replace it. Delete the old one, then draw a new signature and click "Save & Use."

Wrapping Up

Signing PDFs online is one of those things that feels complicated until you do it once. Then it's obvious. Open the PDF, click the Sign tool, draw your signature, place it on the page, and export. Done. No printing, no scanning, no wasted time.

If you sign documents regularly, save your signature in the browser. You'll thank yourself later when you can sign a document in under 30 seconds. And if you're worried about security, remember that everything happens in your browser. Your files and signatures never leave your device.

Need to add text, dates, or other content alongside your signature? Our full PDF editor lets you add text, images, and annotations to any document.

Got a document that needs signing? Go ahead and open it in the box at the top of this page. It takes about 10 seconds to load, and then you're ready to add your signature. No account, no hassle, no problem.