Remove Metadata

Strip all hidden data from your PDF including author, title, creation date, and XMP metadata.

Click to select PDF or drag and drop

Your files never leave your device.

What is PDF Metadata?

PDF metadata is hidden information embedded within your PDF files that can reveal sensitive details about the document, its creator, and editing history. This data is not visible when viewing the document but can be accessed by anyone with the right tools.

Types of metadata found in PDFs:

  • Document Information: Title, author, subject, keywords
  • Creation Details: Creation date, modification date, producer software
  • Technical Data: PDF version, document ID, trapping information
  • Application Data: Software-specific information (Adobe, Microsoft Office, etc.)
  • XMP Metadata: Extensive metadata in XML format including camera info for images
  • Private Data: Custom fields added by specific applications

Why Remove Metadata?

  • ✓ Protect personal privacy
  • ✓ Secure confidential information
  • ✓ Prepare files for public sharing
  • ✓ Reduce file size slightly
  • ✓ Prevent tracking information
  • ✓ 100% free and private

How to Remove Metadata from PDF

1

Upload PDF

Select your PDF file. All processing happens locally in your browser - your files never leave your device.

2

Remove Metadata

Click "Remove All Metadata". Our tool strips all hidden data while preserving your document content.

3

Download Clean PDF

Download your metadata-free PDF. Your document content remains completely unchanged.

When to Remove PDF Metadata

Essential for Privacy

  • Sharing legal documents or contracts
  • Submitting resumes or job applications
  • Publishing research papers or articles
  • Distributing confidential business documents

Important Considerations

  • Metadata removal is permanent and cannot be undone
  • Some workflows require preserved metadata (like publishing)
  • Use Edit Metadata tool to modify instead of remove

Frequently Asked Questions

Our tool removes all standard PDF metadata including:

  • Document Info Dictionary: Title, Author, Subject, Keywords, Creator, Producer
  • Dates: CreationDate, ModDate
  • Technical Info: PDF version, trapped status, document ID
  • XMP Metadata: All XML-based metadata including Dublin Core, Adobe properties
  • Private Data: PieceInfo, private application data
  • Metadata Streams: All additional metadata streams

Your actual document content (text, images, formatting) remains completely unchanged.

No. Metadata removal does NOT affect:

  • Text content, formatting, or layout
  • Images, graphics, or embedded media
  • Hyperlinks and bookmarks
  • Interactive form fields
  • Page numbering or structure
  • File compression or quality

The only change is the removal of hidden informational data that most users never see.

No. When you remove metadata using our tool:

  • The metadata is permanently deleted from the PDF file
  • This process cannot be reversed
  • The original metadata is not saved anywhere
  • We recommend keeping a backup of your original file if you might need the metadata later

If you need to preserve metadata but want to modify it, use our Edit Metadata tool instead.

Yes, but typically by a very small amount. The size reduction depends on how much metadata was originally in your PDF:

  • Simple PDFs: 1-5KB reduction
  • Complex PDFs with XMP: 10-50KB reduction
  • PDFs from Adobe Creative Suite: Up to 100KB+ reduction
  • Scanned PDFs: Usually minimal reduction

For significant file size reduction, use our Compress PDF tool after removing metadata.

In most cases, yes. Removing metadata is generally legal when:

  • You own the copyright to the document
  • You have permission to modify the document
  • You're protecting your own privacy or confidential information
  • The document doesn't contain legally required metadata (some government filings)

Always check specific requirements for:

  • Legal documents filed with courts
  • Government submissions
  • Academic publications with specific metadata requirements
  • Documents subject to regulatory compliance

Related PDF Tools

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Edit Metadata

Modify instead of remove