Every PDF tool you'll
ever need
Merge, split, compress, convert, OCR, sign & protect - all processed 100% in your browser. No uploads.
What Is PDF Forge?
PDF Forge is a complete PDF toolkit that runs entirely in your browser. It packs 30 distinct tools into one interface - from merging and splitting documents to compressing oversized files, adding digital signatures, running OCR on scanned pages, and even redacting sensitive information. Think of it as the Swiss army knife for PDFs, except nothing ever touches a remote server.
Why 30 tools? Because working with PDFs is rarely just one task. You might need to pull out a few pages from a contract, slap a watermark on a proposal, and then compress the whole thing before emailing it. Instead of juggling three different websites (and uploading your files to each one), you handle everything here in a single session.
How to Use PDF Forge
- Browse the tool grid above or use the search bar to find the specific operation you need - merge, split, compress, convert, sign, OCR, and so on.
- Click the tool card to open it. Drop your PDF (or multiple PDFs) into the file area, or click to browse your device.
- Adjust any settings - page ranges, compression level, watermark text, signature position - then hit the action button.
- Your processed file downloads automatically. No account needed, no email required.
Your Files Stay Private
Every operation in PDF Forge happens through JavaScript libraries loaded directly in your browser. When you merge two contracts or OCR a scanned receipt, the processing runs on your own CPU - your files are never transmitted over the internet. There is no backend server waiting to receive your data.
This matters more than people realize. PDFs often contain signatures, financial details, medical records, or legal agreements. Traditional online PDF tools require you to upload those files to someone else's server, where they may be cached, logged, or stored temporarily. Here, the moment you close the tab, everything is gone.
Common Questions
Is there a file size limit?
Since everything processes locally, the limit depends on your device's available memory. Most modern computers and phones handle files up to 100-200 MB without issues. Extremely large files (500 MB+) may be slow on older hardware.
Can I merge password-protected PDFs?
Yes. If a PDF has a user password, you will be prompted to enter it before the tool can read the file. Once unlocked locally, you can merge, split, or convert it like any other document.
Does the OCR tool work with handwritten text?
The OCR engine is optimized for printed text. It can handle some neat handwriting, but heavily stylized or messy handwriting will produce unreliable results. For best accuracy, use clear scans at 300 DPI or higher.
Do I need to install anything?
No installation, no plugins, no extensions. PDF Forge runs in any modern browser - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. Just open the page and start working.
How does the compression actually work?
PDF files get bloated for two main reasons: embedded high-resolution images and duplicated font subsets. The compressor in PDF Forge tackles both. It re-encodes images at a lower quality setting (you can choose the level), converts redundant color profiles, and strips metadata like creation dates and software tags that add bytes without adding value. A typical 15 MB scan-heavy PDF can shrink to 3-4 MB without any visible quality loss at the default setting. If you need to hit a specific file size (many email servers cap attachments at 10 or 25 MB), just adjust the compression slider.
Can I convert a PDF to Word and keep the layout?
Digital PDFs with selectable text convert well - headings, paragraphs, lists, and basic tables come through cleanly. Scanned PDFs need OCR first. Complex layouts with columns or text boxes may shift slightly since Word and PDF use different rendering. Simple business documents convert almost perfectly.
How do I reduce PDF size without losing quality?
The compression tool re-encodes embedded images and strips metadata like creation dates and software tags. A 15 MB scan-heavy document typically shrinks to 3-4 MB with no visible quality loss. Adjust the slider lower for smaller files at the cost of slightly softer images.
Can I add a digital signature that's legally valid?
You can draw, type, or upload a signature and place it anywhere. This is a visual signature. Legal validity depends on jurisdiction - for internal approvals and informal agreements, widely accepted. For court filings, you would need a certificate-based signature from an authorized provider.
What happens to form fields in my PDF?
Fillable fields are preserved during merge and split. Converting to image flattens them visually. Fill in forms first, then flatten if you want to lock values permanently before sharing.
Can I rearrange pages within a PDF?
Yes. The page organizer lets you drag pages into any order, delete unwanted pages, and duplicate pages you need multiple copies of. Changes are applied instantly in the preview, and you can undo any step before downloading the final version.
Who Uses This Tool
- Lawyers and legal teams - merging case documents into single files for court submission, redacting sensitive information from discovery files before sharing with opposing counsel, and adding signature blocks to contracts that need multiple parties to sign off. When every page matters for the record, having a reliable merge and split tool saves hours of manual assembly.
- Students and researchers - combining individual chapter PDFs into a single thesis document, compressing oversized research papers so they fit within email attachment limits, and converting lecture slides into a format that's easier to annotate. Graduate students regularly deal with strict file size requirements from submission portals.
- Small business owners - compressing invoices before emailing them to clients, watermarking proposals with "DRAFT" or "CONFIDENTIAL" before circulation, and splitting multi-page receipts into individual files for expense reports. When you don't have a dedicated admin team, a fast PDF tool makes a real difference.
- HR departments - merging candidate resumes, cover letters, and references into unified applicant files, password-protecting employee documents before sending externally, and stripping metadata from contracts before sharing with third-party recruiters or auditors.