How to use the Sign PDF tool
- Open your PDFDrop the PDF onto the box. Its pages appear on the right.
- Create your signatureDraw it with your mouse or finger, type your name and pick a handwriting style, or upload a photo of your signature.
- Place itScroll to the right page and click “Place signature”. Drag it into position and resize it with the corner handle. Add the date, initials or text if needed.
- DownloadClick “Sign & download PDF” to save the signed copy.
Features
- Three ways to signDraw with a mouse, touchpad, finger or stylus; type your name in one of four handwriting fonts; or upload a scanned signature.
- Clean uploaded signaturesWhite paper backgrounds are removed automatically, so a phone photo of your signature looks natural on the page.
- Dates, initials and textAdd today’s date in your preferred format, your initials on every page, or any short text such as your name and title.
- Precise placementDrag, resize, nudge with the arrow keys and copy an item to every page with one click.
- Private by designThe PDF is signed in your browser. Neither your document nor your signature is uploaded or stored.
How to sign a PDF online
Most PDFs that need a signature, such as rental agreements, offer letters, school forms and invoices, just need your signature to appear on the page. This tool does exactly that: you create your signature once, place it wherever it is needed, and download a new PDF with the signature added to the page. There is no need to print, sign with a pen and scan the document again.
Draw, type or upload: which is best?
| Method | Best for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | Phones, tablets with a stylus, touchscreen laptops | Sign larger than you need; it is scaled down neatly when placed. |
| Type | Quick approvals and informal documents | Choose the style that looks most like your handwriting. |
| Upload | Looking exactly like your pen signature | Sign on plain white paper with a dark pen and take a sharp, well-lit photo. |
Is an electronic signature legally valid?
In many countries, an electronic signature like this one, an image of your signature added to a document, is accepted for everyday agreements. Examples include the ESIGN Act and UETA in the United States, eIDAS in the European Union (as a “simple electronic signature”) and the Information Technology Act in India for many kinds of documents. Acceptance always depends on the document type and on what the other party agrees to.
Some documents need more. Wills, property transfers, court filings, some government forms and certain financial documents may require a handwritten signature, a witness or a certificate-based digital signature (for example a DSC token or an Aadhaar eSign in India). This tool adds a visible signature image; it does not add a cryptographic certificate. If you are unsure, check with the organization that asked you to sign. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Tips for a professional result
- Place the signature on the signature line so it slightly overlaps it, the way a pen signature would.
- Use blue ink for documents where people expect to tell the original from a copy.
- Use the ⧉ button to put your initials on every page of a contract in one step.
- Add the date next to your signature if the form has a “Date” field.
- After signing, you can protect the PDF with a password before emailing it, or compress it if it is too large to attach.
Your signature stays private
Many online signing services upload your document and keep a copy of your signature on their servers. Here, the PDF is opened, signed and saved entirely in your web browser. Your signature is not saved anywhere after you close the page, so nobody else can reuse it.