How to Sign a PDF Online Free (Without Uploading It)
To sign a PDF for free, open the Sign PDF tool in your browser, add your signature (draw it, type it, or upload a photo of it), drop it onto the page, and download the signed file. The document is never uploaded — the signature is baked in on your own device, which matters because the things you sign are contracts, offers and agreements.
Most “sign PDF” sites ask you to upload the document and make an account first. For a signed agreement, the upload itself is the risk.
Sign it in your browser
- Open Sign PDF.
- Create your signature:
- Draw it with a mouse, trackpad or finger,
- Type your name and pick a handwriting-style font, or
- Upload a photo/scan of your real signature (white backgrounds are made transparent).
- Click the page to place the signature, then drag to position and resize it.
- Add a date, initials or a checkmark where needed.
- Download the signed PDF. Nothing was uploaded.
Tick “remember on this device” and your signature is stored only in your browser (localStorage) for next time — never sent anywhere.
What kind of signature this is
This produces a simple electronic signature: your signature image is flattened into the document. That’s exactly what the vast majority of everyday agreements ask for — a lease, an offer letter, a consent form, an invoice approval.
It is not a certificate-based digital signature (the cryptographic kind tied to an identity-verified certificate). If a counterparty specifically requires a certified/qualified digital signature, you’ll need a trust-provider service for that — no in-browser tool can issue one, because it depends on a verified identity certificate.
Getting a clean result
- Upload beats draw for a “real” look. Sign a white sheet of paper, photograph it in good light, and upload it — the tool drops the white background so it sits like ink on the page.
- Place the date near the signature so the page reads like a normal signed document.
- Resize down. Signatures usually look best smaller than you’d expect — match the size of the printed name if there is one.
Related
- Fill & sign is private here — why nothing is uploaded
- Protect PDF — password-protect the signed file before emailing it
- Compress PDF — shrink it if it’s now too big to send
Frequently asked questions
How do I add my signature?
Draw it with your mouse or finger, type it, or upload an image of your signature, then place and size it on the page.
Is an electronic signature like this legally binding?
An image signature works for many everyday agreements, but requirements vary by country and document type. For contracts with strict legal requirements, check whether a qualified or certified e-signature is needed.
Is the contract uploaded to sign it?
No. The signature is placed on the PDF in your browser, so the document never reaches anyone else's server.
Can I sign in more than one place?
Yes — add your signature to as many spots as the document needs, plus dates or initials, before downloading.