What metadata fields does this remove?

Standard PDF Document Information dictionary fields: Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, Producer, CreationDate, ModificationDate. Also clears XMP metadata stream (a more modern metadata format embedded in PDFs since the early 2000s). Doesn't touch: page content, embedded images, fonts, hyperlinks, or form fields. Doesn't remove: digital signatures (which include their own metadata signed cryptographically), bookmarks (table of contents), or annotations / comments.

Will this affect my PDF's appearance or content?

No. The visible content of the PDF — text, images, layout, formatting — is identical before and after. Only the hidden metadata fields are cleared. The PDF will display, print, search, and copy text exactly as before. Embedded fonts, hyperlinks, and forms remain functional. Bookmarks (table of contents) are preserved. Page count, dimensions, and orientation unchanged.

Is this enough for legal / journalism / whistleblower scenarios?

It strips document-level metadata, which is the most common leak. For higher-risk scenarios (whistleblowing, sensitive journalism, witness protection), additional steps: (1) Re-render via 'print to PDF' from the PDF — destroys all embedded data, only visible content remains. (2) Convert to images then back to PDF — same effect, larger files, no text selection. (3) Use a sanitization-focused tool (Acrobat's 'Sanitize Document' is the gold standard, removes all hidden content). (4) Strip EXIF from any embedded images separately. (5) Always test the output in a forensic tool before distribution.

Why might author info still appear after stripping?

Possible causes: (1) Author info embedded as visible text in headers/footers/footnotes — that's content, not metadata. (2) Digital signatures preserve signer info as content. (3) PDF was created with embedded JavaScript that displays metadata dynamically. (4) Custom XMP fields not in the standard set. (5) Attached files within the PDF (file attachments are separate documents). Run the output through PDF Metadata Viewer to confirm the standard fields are blank; for stubborn metadata, try Adobe Acrobat's 'Sanitize Document' which catches more obscure leaks.

Does this work for password-protected PDFs?

Encrypted PDFs require the password to be decrypted before metadata can be modified. The tool will display an error if the PDF is password-protected. To proceed: open the PDF in a viewer with the password, save without password, then strip metadata. For document confidentiality + metadata-free distribution, you can re-encrypt after stripping (use a separate password-protection tool) — the metadata stripping itself doesn't restore encryption.

How do I verify the metadata is actually removed?

Two-step verification: (1) Run the stripped PDF through PDF Metadata Viewer (this site) — Title, Author, Creator, Producer fields should show as 'dashes' (blank). (2) For forensic-grade verification, use exiftool (command-line): 'exiftool sanitized.pdf' — should show only the most basic PDF version info, no Author/Creator. (3) Compare original vs. stripped in 'pdfinfo' (poppler-utils) — fewer metadata fields in stripped version. Some viewers cache metadata; restart your PDF viewer if old fields seem to persist.

File & Format Converters · Free tool

PDF Metadata Remover

Strip author, title, producer, and hidden metadata from PDFs before sharing. Free, browser-only tool with no sign-up — your file stays private and secure.

Updated June 2026

Drop a file or click to choose

Drop a PDF to scrub its metadata.

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What it does

Strip the author name, title, subject, keywords, creator, producer, and timestamp fields from any PDF — all in your browser, nothing uploaded. This is the field journalists, lawyers, and job seekers reach for: the visible text stays exactly as you wrote it, but the hidden fields that leak your username, corporate software suite, or original file path are wiped.

Caveat: this removes document-level metadata. It does not attempt to strip embedded image EXIF or signature traces — those require a re-render. For a before/after check, run the output through PDF Metadata Viewer.

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Paste this snippet into any page. Loads on-demand (lazy), no tracking scripts, and sized to most dashboards. Replace the height to fit your layout.

<iframe src="https://freetoolarena.com/embed/pdf-metadata-remover" width="100%" height="720" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="PDF Metadata Remover" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:12px;max-width:720px;"></iframe>

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How to use it

Drop the PDF whose metadata you want wiped.
Click Strip metadata — all author/title/creator fields are cleared.
Download the cleaned file.
Re-open it in PDF Metadata Viewer to verify the fields are blank.

When to use this tool

Before sending a PDF resume to ensure your name / address / Word version isn’t leaking.
Submitting an anonymous tip or whistleblower document to journalism / authorities.
Sharing legal documents where the file’s creator metadata could reveal strategy.
Preparing PDFs for public publication where author metadata isn’t intended for disclosure.

When not to use it

Encrypted PDFs — must decrypt first.
When the metadata is part of the document’s legal authentication (signed contracts often retain creator info as part of audit trail).
PDFs with embedded image EXIF or hidden text content — use Adobe Acrobat’s Sanitize Document for thorough cleaning.

Common use cases

Resume PDF stripped before submission to remove author name from Word document properties.
Whistleblower document scrubbed of all metadata before sharing with journalist.
Confidential analysis report cleaned before distribution to broader audience.
Public release of internal memo with author info removed.

Frequently asked questions

What metadata fields does this remove?: Standard PDF Document Information dictionary fields: Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, Producer, CreationDate, ModificationDate. Also clears XMP metadata stream (a more modern metadata format embedded in PDFs since the early 2000s). Doesn't touch: page content, embedded images, fonts, hyperlinks, or form fields. Doesn't remove: digital signatures (which include their own metadata signed cryptographically), bookmarks (table of contents), or annotations / comments.
Will this affect my PDF's appearance or content?: No. The visible content of the PDF — text, images, layout, formatting — is identical before and after. Only the hidden metadata fields are cleared. The PDF will display, print, search, and copy text exactly as before. Embedded fonts, hyperlinks, and forms remain functional. Bookmarks (table of contents) are preserved. Page count, dimensions, and orientation unchanged.
Is this enough for legal / journalism / whistleblower scenarios?: It strips document-level metadata, which is the most common leak. For higher-risk scenarios (whistleblowing, sensitive journalism, witness protection), additional steps: (1) Re-render via 'print to PDF' from the PDF — destroys all embedded data, only visible content remains. (2) Convert to images then back to PDF — same effect, larger files, no text selection. (3) Use a sanitization-focused tool (Acrobat's 'Sanitize Document' is the gold standard, removes all hidden content). (4) Strip EXIF from any embedded images separately. (5) Always test the output in a forensic tool before distribution.
Why might author info still appear after stripping?: Possible causes: (1) Author info embedded as visible text in headers/footers/footnotes — that's content, not metadata. (2) Digital signatures preserve signer info as content. (3) PDF was created with embedded JavaScript that displays metadata dynamically. (4) Custom XMP fields not in the standard set. (5) Attached files within the PDF (file attachments are separate documents). Run the output through PDF Metadata Viewer to confirm the standard fields are blank; for stubborn metadata, try Adobe Acrobat's 'Sanitize Document' which catches more obscure leaks.
Does this work for password-protected PDFs?: Encrypted PDFs require the password to be decrypted before metadata can be modified. The tool will display an error if the PDF is password-protected. To proceed: open the PDF in a viewer with the password, save without password, then strip metadata. For document confidentiality + metadata-free distribution, you can re-encrypt after stripping (use a separate password-protection tool) — the metadata stripping itself doesn't restore encryption.
How do I verify the metadata is actually removed?: Two-step verification: (1) Run the stripped PDF through PDF Metadata Viewer (this site) — Title, Author, Creator, Producer fields should show as 'dashes' (blank). (2) For forensic-grade verification, use exiftool (command-line): 'exiftool sanitized.pdf' — should show only the most basic PDF version info, no Author/Creator. (3) Compare original vs. stripped in 'pdfinfo' (poppler-utils) — fewer metadata fields in stripped version. Some viewers cache metadata; restart your PDF viewer if old fields seem to persist.

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