How to Sign a PDF Online for Free
Published on March 1, 2026
Upload your PDF to our free PDF signer, draw your signature or upload a signature image, drag it to the right spot, and download the signed document. No printing, no scanning, no account required. Your file never leaves your browser.
Step-by-Step: Signing a PDF
- Open the Sign PDF tool and upload your document.
- Choose how to add your signature: draw it with your mouse or finger, or upload an image of your handwritten signature.
- Drag the signature to position it on the PDF preview.
- Optionally add your name and date below the signature.
- Click download to save the signed PDF.
Is an Online Signature Legally Valid?
In most countries, electronic signatures are legally binding for standard business documents, contracts, and agreements. The US ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS regulation both recognize electronic signatures. However, some documents (notarized papers, certain government forms) may still require wet ink signatures. When in doubt, check with the receiving party.
Privacy and Security
Our tool processes everything in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your PDF and signature are never uploaded to a server. This makes it safe for signing sensitive documents like contracts, NDAs, or tax forms. Once you close the tab, nothing is stored.
Tips for a Clean Signature
If drawing on a touchscreen, use your finger or a stylus for a smoother result. If uploading an image, sign on white paper with a dark pen and photograph it in good lighting. A PNG with a transparent background works best. After signing, you can compress the PDF if the file size is too large, or extract specific pages if you only need the signed page.
Need to merge signed documents with other PDFs? See how to merge PDF files. Choosing between PDF and editable Word format? Read PDF vs DOCX.
Ready to sign? Sign your PDF now