Watermark PDF Online
Stamp text such as CONFIDENTIAL or DRAFT across every page of your PDF. Pick the size, colour, angle and opacity. Your file never leaves your device.
Free to use · Works on any device · Files auto-deleted after processing
Drag and drop here or
File must be a PDF
and size up to 15MB.
How it works?
Upload your file
Drag and drop your .pdf file, or browse from your device.
Design the watermark
Type your text, then set size, colour, rotation and opacity.
Download your PDF
Save the watermarked document right away.
Why choose our Watermark PDF tool?
Fully private
The watermark is added in your browser, so your file is never uploaded.
Full control
Choose text, font size, colour, angle and transparency.
Centre or tile
Place one large mark in the middle or repeat it across the page.
Selected pages
Watermark every page, or only the ranges you enter.
100% free
No hidden fees, no signup, no branding added by us.
Works everywhere
Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, or Linux. Any modern browser works.
Why watermark a PDF?
A watermark tells readers how a document should be treated. Marking a contract as DRAFT, a report as CONFIDENTIAL, or a proof as SAMPLE protects your work and prevents the wrong version from being used or shared by mistake.
Add a text watermark to a PDF online
Use the Watermark PDF tool to stamp words such as DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL or your company name across your pages. You control the size, colour, rotation and transparency, so the mark is visible without hiding the content.
Because everything happens in your browser, sensitive documents stay on your device. Choose a centred diagonal mark for the classic look, or repeat the text across the page for stronger coverage.
Quick tips
- Use 20-30% opacity so the page stays easy to read.
- A 45 degree angle is the most recognisable watermark style.
- Compress the PDF afterwards if the file needs to be emailed.
How to watermark a PDF and choose settings that work
How do I add a watermark to every page of a PDF?
Upload your PDF, type the words you want, and leave the Pages box empty. The text is stamped onto every page in the colour, size, angle and opacity you choose, and you can see the settings before you create the file.
The watermark is drawn inside your browser. The PDF is not sent to a server, so you can mark a draft or confidential file without uploading it anywhere.
What text makes a good watermark?
Short, clear words work best: DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, SAMPLE, COPY, NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, or your company or project name. A long sentence gets small quickly because the text has to fit across the page.
The text field is limited to 60 characters, which is plenty for a label. If you want a second line, create the watermark twice or use the Edit PDF tool for a more custom layout.
How do I make the watermark lighter, darker or diagonal?
Opacity controls how strongly the text shows through. A low value, around 15 to 30 percent, keeps the page readable. Raise it when the mark must stand out, such as on a printed proof.
The rotation slider runs from -90 to 90 degrees. 45 is the familiar diagonal look, 0 is horizontal, and -45 leans the other way. Choose Repeat across page when you want the text tiled over the whole sheet instead of one large mark in the middle.
Will the watermark stop people copying the document?
A watermark labels a document. It does not lock it. The mark is page content, so someone with a PDF editor could cover or remove it. If you also need to control who can open the file, protect it with a password using Protect PDF after watermarking.
Popular ways to use it
Mark a draft contract
Stamp DRAFT across every page so nobody mistakes it for the signed version.
Label internal reports
Add CONFIDENTIAL or INTERNAL ONLY before you share a report with a small group.
Show a sample or proof
Put SAMPLE or your studio name over proofs so clients can review but not reuse them.
Add a company name to handouts
Repeat your brand across the page of a handout or price list.
Mark only the pages that matter
Enter a range such as 1-3 to watermark the first pages and leave the rest clean.
Troubleshooting and common problems
The watermark is hard to read.
Raise the opacity, choose a darker colour, or increase the font size. Light colours on photos are the usual cause.
The text runs off the edge of the page.
Reduce the font size or shorten the text. A big diagonal mark on a small page can be wider than the page.
The Add Watermark button is disabled.
The watermark text box is empty. Type at least one character.
I get an error about the page range.
Use numbers within the document and write ranges like 2-5, separated by commas. Leave the box empty for all pages.
Good to know
- Text watermarks only
- This tool stamps text. For a logo or image, use the Edit PDF tool.
- Centred or repeated
- Pick one large mark in the middle, or tile the text across the page.
- Page content, not security
- The mark can be removed with a PDF editor, so pair it with a password if access matters.
- Original stays unchanged
- You download a new PDF and keep your original file.
Who uses this tool?
Business teams
Label internal reports and drafts as confidential.
Designers and photographers
Mark proofs and portfolios before delivery.
Legal and finance
Stamp copies and drafts so they are not mistaken for finals.
Students and authors
Protect unpublished work shared for review.
Supported formats
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
| .pdf (watermarked) |
FAQs
Is this Watermark PDF tool free?
Yes. It is free to use and adds no branding of our own.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The watermark is applied inside your browser, so the file stays on your device.
Can I watermark only some pages?
Yes. Enter page ranges such as 1-3, 5 to limit where the watermark appears.
Can I make the watermark lighter?
Yes. Lower the opacity slider for a subtle background mark.
Can a watermark be removed later?
It is added as page content, so anyone with a PDF editor could cover or remove it. For permanent protection use Protect PDF as well.
How do I add a watermark to a PDF for free?
Upload the PDF, type your text, adjust the style and click Add Watermark. The result downloads without any signup.
Can I add a DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL watermark?
Yes. Type any text you like, including DRAFT, CONFIDENTIAL, SAMPLE or a company name.
How do I put CONFIDENTIAL across a PDF?
Type CONFIDENTIAL as the watermark text, keep the diagonal rotation, set a moderate opacity, and click Add Watermark.
Can I add a watermark to a PDF without Acrobat?
Yes. This tool works in any modern browser, so there is nothing to install.
How can I make a watermark transparent?
Lower the opacity slider. Smaller values make the text more see-through.
Does adding a watermark reduce the quality of my PDF?
No. The text is drawn on top of the existing pages and your content is not re-compressed.
Can I add an image or logo watermark?
Not with this tool, which uses text. Use Edit PDF to place an image anywhere on a page.