White out text in a PDF and type over it
Spotted a typo in a PDF you can’t re-export, a wrong date on a form, or an old phone number on a flyer? The PDF Whiteout tool works like correction fluid for PDFs: draw a box over the part you want to cover, choose white or a colour that matches the page, and optionally type replacement text on top.
It is ideal for quick visual fixes when the original Word or design file is not available: correcting a price on a price list, updating an address on a letterhead, hiding a stray mark on a scan, or blanking a field before reprinting a form.
Please read this before you use it for anything sensitive: whiteout is not redaction. The covered text is still inside the PDF and anyone can copy it, search it or extract it. To permanently remove confidential information, use Redact PDF instead. Your file is edited in your browser and never uploaded.
How to white out a PDF
- Drop your PDF onto the upload area or click it to choose the file.
- Go to the page with the arrow buttons and drag across the area you want to cover. A single tap makes a standard-size box.
- Choose a Box colour — press Match page colour to sample the background around the box on tinted or scanned pages.
- Optionally type Replacement text and pick the font, size and text colour.
- Adjust the box by dragging it or its corner, then press Download edited PDF.
PDF Whiteout features
Draw, move and resize
Drag to draw a box of any size, move it into place and resize it from the corner — with a mouse, a pen or a finger.
Any colour
White by default, or any colour from the picker. Match page colour samples the background around the box so the patch blends in.
Type on top
Add replacement text in sans-serif, serif, bold or monospace at any size and colour, positioned inside the box.
Every page, any orientation
Add boxes on as many pages as you like. Rotated and landscape pages are handled so boxes and text land exactly where you placed them.
Vector output
Boxes and text are drawn into the page as vector graphics, so the rest of the document stays sharp and selectable.
Private
Editing happens in your browser; the PDF is never uploaded.
Whiteout vs redaction: an important difference
| PDF Whiteout | Redact PDF | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Draws a box (and optional text) on top of the page | Removes the content under the box and burns the box into the page |
| Hidden text still in the file? | Yes — it can be copied, searched and extracted | No — the original text no longer exists on that page |
| Page stays vector? | Yes, all pages | Unaffected pages stay vector; redacted pages become images |
| Use it for | Typos, outdated details, cosmetic fixes | Personal data, account numbers, legal and HR documents |
Tips for a seamless correction
- Keep boxes tight around the text you are covering so less of the page changes.
- Match the font of the document: most office documents use a sans-serif such as Arial or Calibri, which the Helvetica option resembles closely; books and legal documents usually use a serif face.
- Text size is in points, the same unit word processors use — body text is usually 10–12 pt.
- The standard PDF fonts cover Latin letters, digits and common symbols. For other scripts, type the correction in the original document and export it again.
- Need to add text without covering anything, or sign the corrected document? Use Sign PDF; to fill in a form, use Fill PDF Form.
PDF Whiteout FAQ
How do I white out text in a PDF?
Open the PDF in PDF Whiteout, drag a box over the text, keep the colour white (or match the page colour) and press “Download edited PDF”. Type replacement text in the box settings if you want to write over it.
Does whiteout permanently remove the text?
No. It covers the text visually, but the original text remains in the PDF and can be copied or extracted. Use Redact PDF to remove sensitive information for real.
Can I change the text in a PDF with this tool?
Yes, as a visual correction: cover the old words with a box and type the new words on top. The result looks edited, but the old text stays underneath.
Why is my replacement text showing an error about characters?
The tool uses the standard PDF fonts, which support Latin characters and common symbols only. Replace symbols such as ₹ with “Rs.”, or use plain Latin text.
Can I use a colour other than white?
Yes. Pick any colour, or press “Match page colour” to sample the area around the selected box — useful on cream paper, coloured forms and scans.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The PDF is rendered and edited inside your browser and never leaves your device.