Shapes & Redaction Boxes - Free Online Browser Tool

Draw callout rectangles, solid black redaction boxes, or approval borders.

Rectangles do the work that freehand cannot: a solid black redaction box, a boxed callout that aligns exactly to a margin, an approval border framing an entire page. This tool draws precise, dimensioned shapes rather than freehand approximations.

This shapes & redaction boxes utility runs completely inside your web browser. Your document is opened locally and processed on your own device using JavaScript and WebAssembly, so your file is never uploaded to any server. There is no signup, no watermark and no limit on how many documents you can handle.

  • 100% client-side - files never leave your device
  • Instant processing, no upload wait
  • Works on desktop, tablet and mobile
  • Free forever, no account required

Common next steps: Freehand Drawing / Pencil, Number All Annotations, Redact by Pattern.

How to Use the Shapes & Redaction Boxes Tool

Four steps, and the whole thing runs locally on your own device.

  1. Load your PDF

    Drop in the document needing callouts, redactions or a border.

  2. Choose the shape type

    Select an outlined callout rectangle, a solid black redaction block, or a full-page approval border.

  3. Set dimensions and position

    Enter exact width, height and coordinates rather than dragging, so the shape aligns precisely to the content it covers.

  4. Draw and download

    Shapes are drawn as vector content on the selected pages. Save when the placement is right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a black box a real redaction?

No, and this matters. A drawn black box only covers what is visible; the underlying text is still in the file and can be recovered. For genuine redaction, use Bulk Keyword Redaction, which removes the content.

Why does exact positioning matter here?

Because an outline needs to sit precisely on the text it marks, and a redaction box must fully cover the content beneath it. Numeric coordinates give that control.

What is an approval border useful for?

Framing an approved page or figure. A border drawn just inside the page edge gives the look of a stamped approval without covering any content.

Do the shapes scale cleanly when printed?

Yes, they are vector — a printed border or callout is as sharp as it looks on screen.

Can I draw the same shape on every page?

Yes, apply the shape across a page range. That is how you frame or mark every page in a section consistently.