How to highlight text in a PDF
Marking up a document for review or study takes seconds, and nothing you highlight is uploaded anywhere.
Open the free PDF editor →
Step by step
- Open the PDFDrop your document into the editor.
- Pick the highlighterChoose the highlighter tool and a color.
- Drag across the textDrag over the words you want marked. Hold Shift for a perfectly straight line.
- DownloadExport - highlights are semi-transparent, so the text stays readable underneath.
Your file stays on your device. PDFree runs entirely in your
browser - the PDF is never uploaded to a server, so private documents stay private.
Common questions
Can I change the highlight color?
Yes, pick any color before or after drawing.
Can I remove a highlight?
Yes. Select it and press Delete, or use the erase tool.
Can I write notes by hand?
Yes, the pen tool draws freehand in any color and thickness.
Related guides