How to draw and highlight on a PDF
To draw on a PDF without uploading it, open the file in PDFSpruce, choose Edit PDF, select Draw, and mark the page. Use the highlight or shape tools for other annotations, then export your PDF. The document is processed locally in your browser.
Mark a revision, circle a detail or sketch a note directly on a PDF page. Drawing and highlighting are useful for reviewing documents when a typed comment alone is not enough.
Open the free PDF editor →Step by step
- Choose your PDF and open Edit PDF. Navigate to the page you want to mark up.
- Choose Draw for freehand marks, or use the highlight and shape tools. Adjust the available color and width controls, then drag across the page.
- Use Undo if a mark is misplaced. Return with Organize pages and export your annotated PDF. Review the downloaded copy before sharing it.
Before you export
Highlights and shapes are visible annotations, not redaction tools. Do not cover confidential text with a mark and assume it has been removed. Pre-existing annotations may not stay independently editable after export.
A useful tip
Keep highlights light enough to preserve the original text. Use consistent colors for different review tasks, such as corrections and questions, and avoid drawing over details the recipient needs to read.
Where are my files processed?
Your documents stay in your browser’s memory. PDFSpruce does not upload your PDFs, filenames, previews or document text. Download your finished work before closing or refreshing the editor. See our privacy information for details about website requests.