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Annotate PDF

Highlight, draw and comment on any page.

Open the free tool

No account needed — it opens right in your browser, with your file private to you.

🛡 Private to you · files are deleted after 60 minutes

To annotate a PDF, open it in the browser and use highlights, freehand drawing, shapes and comments on any page, then save a copy with the annotations embedded. It’s the quickest way to mark up a draft without printing it.

How it works

  1. 1

    Open your PDF

    The free annotator opens in your browser with your document ready.

  2. 2

    Mark it up

    Highlight passages, underline, strike through, draw freehand and drop sticky-note comments.

  3. 3

    Download or share

    Annotations are saved as real PDF annotations that Adobe Reader and every viewer understands.

Standard annotations

Highlights and notes are true PDF annotation objects — editable later in any compliant viewer, with reply threads.

Full marking toolkit

Highlight, underline, squiggly, strikeout, freehand ink, shapes and sticky notes.

Review together

Share a link and collaborate on the same document in real time, comment threads included.

Frequently asked questions

Will others see my annotations?

Yes — they are standard PDF annotations, visible and editable in Adobe Reader, Preview and other viewers.

Can I reply to a comment?

Yes — notes support threaded replies, and the threads survive export and re-import.

Can I remove annotations later?

Yes — they stay editable objects until you deliberately flatten the file.

Is it free?

Yes, free in your browser without an account; files are private and deleted after 60 minutes.

How do I highlight a PDF without Adobe?

Open the file in PDFVelvet’s annotate tool — highlighting works in the browser on any device, and the saved copy keeps your marks in every viewer.

More PDF tools

Add page numbers

Number pages in the position and style you choose.

Watermark PDF

Stamp a text watermark across every page.

Edit PDF

Add and change text, images, shapes and drawings — right in your browser.

Sign PDF

Draw, type or upload your signature — or collect signatures from others.

Fill PDF form

Complete form fields and add text anywhere on the page.

Crop PDF

Trim page margins down to the area you actually need.