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Annotate PDF

Mark up, highlight, and add text on your PDFs right in your browser for free. Easily annotate PDFs online for faster feedback and easier edits. No downloads or signups needed.

  • Highlight, add text, and draw on PDFs
  • GDPR and ISO/IEC 27001 compliant
  • Works in your browser on any device

Add Clarity and Context to Any PDF

Whether you’re reviewing a contract, preparing a presentation, filling out a form, or giving feedback on a report, Smallpdf makes it easy to add text, drawings, images, and highlights directly on your PDFs.

Stay Clear & Organized

Use colors, shapes, and callouts to emphasize key points or needed updates. Keep your annotations neat and easy to follow for faster reviews and approvals.

Fill Out Forms Quickly

Add your information directly to the auto-detected fields. You can just start typing without needing to add any textboxes—quick and easy!

Work Anywhere, Anytime

Annotate from your browser on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android. No software downloads, no learning curve. Just upload, mark up, and share.

How To Annotate PDF Pages Online for Free

  1. Drag & drop your PDF into our free Annotate tool.
  2. Use the toolbar to add text, drawings, or shapes.
  3. Markup the text with highlights, underlines, strikethroughs, and more.
  4. Click ‘Finish’ to download your PDF, or edit further with 30+ tools.

A Smarter Way to Annotate PDFs Online

  • Start Immediately—No Fuss

    Annotate PDFs directly in your browser. No downloads, signups, or complicated setup. Just upload, annotate, and be on your way.

  • Highlight Key Information

    Emphasize text, figures, or sections with custom highlight colors and a versatile pencil tool to make reviews faster and clearer.

  • Feedback Where It Counts

    Add text or highlights exactly where you need them, so your feedback is always clear, relevant, and actionable.

  • Secure & Private

    We’re GDPR compliant, ISO/IEC 27001 certified, and we protect your files with TLS encryption. Files are auto-deleted after one hour for extra peace of mind.

  • Show Readers Where to Focus

    Circle figures, underline phrases, or use arrows and shapes to guide attention in your PDF. Leave no doubt where people need to focus.

  • Annotate on Any Device

    Whether you’re at your desk or on the go, annotate PDFs from any device with internet access: desktop, tablet, or mobile.

Annotate PDF FAQs

  • Is Smallpdf’s Annotate PDF tool free to use?

    Yes! You can annotate PDFs for free right in your browser. There are some usage limits for free users, but that doesn’t stop you from trying it out. Upgrading to Pro gives you unlimited annotations and access to 30+ PDF tools.


  • Can I share my feedback with others in the Annotate tool?

    You can add text, highlights, and callouts to share annotated files with others. It’s easy to download your annotated PDFs to share, or create a share link directly in the tool when you’re done.


  • Do I need to install anything?

    Nope. Our Annotate tool works entirely in your browser. No installation needed or signup required.


  • Will my annotations affect the document’s formatting?

    Not at all. Your original layout, fonts, and images remain intact. Annotations are added on top of the original text to keep things clean and organized.


  • Is the annotation tool safe for confidential files?

    Absolutely. We use TLS encryption, are GDPR compliant, and ISO/IEC 27001 certified. Files are deleted from our servers after one hour of processing, unless you choose to create a Smallpdf account and save files to our secure servers.


  • Can I annotate PDFs on my phone or tablet?

    Yes! The Annotate tool works on any device via your browser, and our iOS and Android apps let you annotate on the go.