What Is PDF Annotator?
PDF Annotator lets you add highlights, text notes, shapes, and freehand drawings to any PDF document. It’s built for designers reviewing mockups, students marking up readings, and professionals commenting on contracts — all without installing desktop software.
How to Use This Tool
Open or drag a PDF into the tool, then use the toolbar to highlight text, draw shapes, add sticky notes, or write freehand annotations. Navigate between pages with the page controls, and when you’re finished, export the annotated PDF directly to your device. Everything runs in your browser — your documents are never uploaded to a server.
Why Use PDF Annotator?
Desktop PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat charge monthly subscriptions for annotation features. This tool provides the same core functionality for free, with zero signups and full privacy since your files never leave your device. For a detailed walkthrough, see our step-by-step guide.
See also: Beyond highlights and comments, the PDF Editor edits text content, replaces images, and re-orders pages in a single interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this true annotation or does it permanently alter the PDF?+
The annotations are visual — they are drawn on top of each page as non-destructive shapes and text. The underlying document content is preserved. If you want to permanently remove text (like redaction), use the PDF Redactor tool instead.
Are my documents uploaded anywhere?+
No. Every annotation is created and saved in your browser. The PDF never leaves your device.
Will the annotations be editable later?+
The annotations are saved as flattened visual layers on each page for maximum compatibility. If you need to edit them later, keep your annotated and original copies separately.
Can I annotate multiple pages?+
Yes. Use the page navigation to move between pages. Your annotations are preserved on each page when you switch.
What annotation types are supported?+
Highlights, underlines, strikethroughs, sticky-note comments, free-text callouts, shape drawings (rectangle, circle, arrow), and freehand ink. All annotations are saved as standard PDF annotation objects readable by Adobe Reader, Preview, and any compliant viewer.
Are annotations editable after I save?+
Yes. Re-upload the PDF and every annotation reappears with its original colours and properties. Edit, move, delete, or add more before re-exporting.
Can I assign comments to different authors?+
Yes. Each annotation carries an author name set in the toolbar — useful for team review when multiple people are commenting on the same document.
Do annotations work with form fields?+
Annotations sit on top of the page; form fields are interactive elements underneath. They coexist without conflict, so you can annotate around forms freely.
Built by Derek Giordano · Part of Ultimate Design Tools
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Annotation marks live as overlay layers on top of the existing PDF page, not baked into the source pixels — that means highlights, comments, sticky notes, and shape callouts stay editable and can be removed individually with no quality loss to the original. The annotated PDF exports as a flattened single-layer file (so it opens the same in any reader) or as a layered PDF where reviewers can toggle annotations on and off. Works well for contract markup and design feedback rounds.