Scrub Metadata
Remove hidden author, software and document data that PDFs carry by default. Everything runs in your browser.
Drop a PDF here
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About Scrub Metadata
Every PDF carries information beyond what is printed on its pages. Author name, the software that produced it, creation and modification timestamps, and sometimes the original filename or file path all travel with the document by default.
This has caused real problems. Documents have revealed who actually wrote them, when they were genuinely created rather than when they were claimed to be, and occasionally directory paths exposing internal structure or a person's name. None of it is visible when you read the file, which is precisely why it gets overlooked.
This tool shows what your document is currently carrying and removes it. Author, producer, creator, subject, keywords and timestamps are stripped, leaving the page content exactly as it was.
It belongs in the same step as any other pre-release check. If you have redacted a document, scrub it afterwards, because redaction removes content from pages and leaves the metadata untouched. Anonymous submissions, whistleblowing material, competitive tenders and public disclosures are all cases where the metadata matters as much as the text.
How to scrub metadata
- Load the PDF
Drop the file in and the metadata currently stored is read and displayed.
- See what it reveals
Review the fields before removing them. This is often the more useful half of the exercise.
- Scrub and download
Fields are cleared and the cleaned PDF is saved to your device.
Frequently asked questions
What metadata do PDFs actually store?
Title, author, subject and keywords, plus the creating and producing software, creation and modification timestamps, and occasionally the original filename or path. Some generators add more.
Does scrubbing change the pages?
No. Only the metadata is removed. The page content, text and images are untouched.
Should I scrub before or after redacting?
After. Redaction removes content from the pages and leaves metadata alone, so scrubbing last ensures both are clean before you release the file.
Is there anything scrubbing cannot remove?
The visible page content, and information inside embedded files or attachments. It also cannot change what is written in the text itself, so check the document as well as its properties.