How to annotate a pdf
- Select one readable PDF.
- Preview the pages and choose the available settings.
- Choose Add annotation, validate the result, and download it.
Annotate a PDF
Mark a selected PDF page with a visible highlight and optional note, then create a new annotated document locally in your browser.
or drop one PDF here
Up to 50 MiB and 500 pages
Processing stays in this browser
Files remain in your browser
No file upload
No account required
PDF annotation questions
Can I highlight a PDF online?
Yes. Add a visible highlight band to one selected page.
Can I add a note with the highlight?
Yes. Add an optional note before creating the annotated PDF.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Annotation and PDF creation run locally in this browser.
Need a different browser task? Open the PDF reader.
About this tool
Add a visible highlight and note to one page
Annotate PDF places a coloured highlight band on the selected page and can include a short note. The annotation is written into a new PDF.
Useful for
- Draw attention to a section during review.
- Add a brief comment to a chosen page.
- Create a shareable marked-up copy in the browser.
Good to know
- This version uses a page-width highlight band rather than freehand selection.
- It does not alter or remove the text underneath.
- The original document remains unchanged.
Practical guidance
Annotate a PDF with a visible highlight and note
Annotate PDF is a focused review tool that places a coloured page-width highlight band on one selected page and can include a short note. It produces a new shareable copy while leaving the source document unchanged.
Highlight a PDF page during review
Use the visible band to draw attention to a relevant area or page in a report, assignment, proof, or approval workflow.
Add a short PDF note
Include a concise comment with the annotation so the recipient understands why the page was marked.
Understand the current annotation scope
This version does not provide freehand drawing, arbitrary text selection, or a full multi-annotation workspace. It applies one focused page annotation per run.
Questions people ask about this task
Can I annotate a PDF online for free?
Yes. Add a supported highlight and optional note without registration.
Can I select individual words to highlight?
No. The current tool creates a page-width highlight band rather than a freehand or text-selection highlight.
Does annotation change the original PDF?
No. It creates a new annotated copy and leaves the selected source document unchanged.
PDFKaka Guides
Practical PDF guides for complete tasks
Start with the result you need, then follow an honest workflow across the right browser tools.
Annotate PDF guides
How to add notes and comments to a PDF
Pair a visible page highlight with an optional note so the reviewed area and explanation stay together.
Annotate PDF guides
How to annotate lecture notes and study PDFs
Mark a focused passage or area and attach a concise study note without altering the original source file.
Annotate PDF guides
How to annotate PDF on iPhone, Android, or iPad
Choose a PDF on a phone or tablet, place a highlight and note, and download the annotated copy.
Annotate PDF guides
How to highlight a PDF online for free
Add a visible highlight band to a selected page and create a separate annotated PDF without signing in.
Annotate PDF guides
PDF annotation versus editing existing text
Use annotation to mark and comment on content; use additive editing to place new text, while neither workflow rewrites existing text in the current tools.