PDF Sign Pad

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about signing PDFs with PDF Sign Pad.

How it works

  1. Load your PDF

    Drop your PDF into the browser window or choose a file — nothing is uploaded.

  2. Add your signature

    Draw, type, upload, or reuse a saved signature.

  3. Place it on the page

    Drag, resize, or rotate your signature (or add text) anywhere on any page.

  4. Download the signed PDF

    Download your finished, flattened PDF — still only on your device.

Is my document uploaded anywhere?

No. Your PDF and signature are processed entirely on your device and never leave your browser.

Is this a legally binding signature?

PDF Sign Pad creates a simple visual e-signature. It is not a certified or qualified digital signature — see our Disclaimer.

Does it work on my language, including Arabic?

Yes. The interface is available in 7 languages including right-to-left Arabic.

What happens to my saved signature?

If you turn on "Save to this browser for reuse," your signature is stored only in your own browser — never on our servers — so you can reuse it next time. It stays off by default, and you can delete it anytime from the Saved tab.

What file types can I use as a signature?

You can draw with your mouse or finger, type your name in a signature font, or upload a PNG, JPG, WebP, or SVG image. A transparent PNG usually looks best.

Is there a file size limit?

Yes — PDFs up to 25 MB open directly in your browser. Larger files aren’t supported, since everything runs on your own device instead of a server.

What happens to my document after I close the tab?

Nothing is kept. Your document, any text you add, and your signature only exist in your browser’s memory for that session — closing the tab, refreshing, or clicking "Start over" releases them completely.

Can I use PDF Sign Pad to sign a lease, an NDA, a job offer, or a school consent form?

For everyday, self-sign documents like these, a simple electronic signature is usually accepted: draw, type, or upload your mark, place it on the page, and download a finished, signed PDF. It's not built for documents that legally require notarization, witnessing, or a wet-ink signature — wills and certain court filings, for example, usually need something more than a simple electronic signature. This isn't legal advice — see our for what a simple electronic signature is and isn't, and talk to a licensed attorney if you're unsure about your specific document.

Can I sign a PDF online for free — without creating an account?

Yes. PDF Sign Pad is free to use, with no account, no sign-up, and no email address required — not even to save a signature for later. Open the tool, drop in your PDF, sign it with a drawn, typed, uploaded, or saved signature, and download the finished file. Nothing about your document is uploaded anywhere in the process — everything happens in your browser. See the for exactly how it works.

Can I sign a PDF on my phone?

Yes. PDF Sign Pad works in any modern mobile browser — open your PDF, then draw your signature with your finger, type it in a signature font, or upload an image, exactly as you would on a laptop. Placing, resizing, and rotating your signature or text works with touch the same way it works with a mouse. There's no app to install, and the same on-device privacy applies: your document never leaves your phone. See the for the step-by-step.

If I save my signature, can I use it on a different device or browser?

No. A saved signature is stored only in that one browser's local storage — never on a server, and never anywhere we could sync it for you. Switch to a different browser, a different device, or clear your browser's site data, and you'll need to save it again from scratch. It's a deliberate privacy tradeoff: keeping your saved signature off any server is what keeps it private, even though it means it won't follow you from browser to browser. See our for the full detail.

Does signing create a new PDF, or change my original file?

Signing never touches your original file. PDF Sign Pad only ever works with the copy loaded into your browser's memory — the file already saved on your device or in the cloud is untouched unless you choose to overwrite it yourself. When you click Download, the app "flattens" your signature and any text you've added — permanently baking your marks into the pages — and gives you a brand-new, finished PDF to save wherever you like. See the for more on how this works.

What if my PDF is bigger than 25 MB?

PDFs over 25 MB aren't supported today. Because everything runs on your own device rather than a server, there's no server-side trick to lift that ceiling — the limit exists to keep the app fast and reliable in a browser tab. If your file is larger, a quick fix is to shrink it first: our sibling tool, pdf-combiner.com's Compress tool, reduces a PDF's file size (also entirely in your browser) so you can bring it back under 25 MB and sign it here.

My PDF won't open, or my signature isn't showing up — what should I do?

Two different issues, two different fixes. If your PDF won't open at all, it's usually damaged or password-protected — PDF Sign Pad shows a plain error message and doesn't attempt to unlock protected files, so try removing the password first or opening a different copy of the file. If your signature isn't showing up, check that you actually clicked "Add signature" (or "Add text") after drawing, typing, or uploading it, and that you're looking at the page you placed it on — signatures and text are added per page, one at a time. See the if you want a step-by-step refresher.