How to sign a PDF
Signing a PDF means putting your signature on the document without printing it. On BestPDFInTheWorld it takes four steps: load the file, create your signature, by drawing it with your mouse or finger, typing your name or uploading an image , drag it onto the right spot on the page and download the result. Everything runs in your browser: the file never leaves your computer. The signature is visual and is meant for everyday documents; it is not a qualified electronic signature. The tool opens on the free plan, with one signature a day and files up to 10 MB. Every other tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits and adds OCR.
Verified 2026-08-12
- Four steps, nothing to install: load the PDF, create the signature, place it on the page, download.
- Three ways to sign: draw it with your mouse or finger, type your name, or upload an image of your signature.
- Place the signature wherever you want: drag it to the right spot on the page and resize it from the corner.
- No uploads: the PDF and the signature are processed entirely on your computer, and nothing is sent to servers. It keeps working offline once the page has loaded.
- The tool opens on the free plan, with one signature a day and files up to 10 MB. Every other tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits and adds OCR.
How to sign a PDF, step by step
Signing a PDF takes under a minute and does not require printing anything:
- Open the Sign PDF tool and load the document you want to sign. It stays on your computer.
- Create the signature: draw it with your mouse or finger, type your name, or upload an image of your signature.
- Place it on the page: drag the signature to the right spot and resize it from the corner.
- Download: press sign and download and get the signed PDF, ready to send.
Nothing to install, no account and no upload wait: the PDF and the signature are processed entirely on your computer, start to finish.
Tips for signing a PDF
- The "Sign and download" button is disabled? You need to create the signature first: draw something on the pad, type your name, or upload a valid image. The button only becomes active once a signature is ready to place on the page.
- Photo of your signature showing "Invalid image"? The browser could not open the file as an image, which usually happens with HEIC photos taken on an iPhone. Convert the photo to JPG or PNG before uploading; a PNG with a transparent background usually gives the best result on the document.
- Want to sign several pages? The signature is applied only to the page you are viewing when you confirm. Repeat the process starting from the already signed file for the remaining pages.
- It works on your phone. Drawing with your finger works on touch screens, though typing with precision is more comfortable on a larger screen.
- After signing, finish the document. Add page numbers with Number pages, stamp a watermark or hide sensitive information with Redact PDF.
Visual signature vs. qualified electronic signature
Signing here creates a visual signature: you draw it with your mouse or finger, type your name or upload an image of your signature, and the tool places that image on top of the PDF page. It is a simple electronic signature, recognised under the European eIDAS regulation for many everyday uses, approving an internal document, signing a form, acknowledging receipt of a simple contract.
It is not, however, a qualified signature: it does not issue a digital certificate, a timestamp or an audit trail, and it is not the same as a qualified electronic signature service. For the vast majority of everyday documents, a visual signature is enough; deeds, wills, powers of attorney or any act the law requires to carry a qualified signature need a different method.
Is signing a PDF free? What are the limits?
Yes. The tool opens on the free plan, with one signature a day and files up to 10 MB. Every other tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits and adds OCR.
| Plan | What it allows |
|---|---|
| Free, no account | One signature a day, files up to 10 MB. |
| Premium (EUR 1.99/month) | Every other tool, with no limits, plus OCR and larger batches. |
Questions about signing a PDF.
Is this signature legally valid?
Yes, as a simple electronic signature: recognised under the European eIDAS regulation for many everyday uses, such as approving an internal document, signing a form or acknowledging receipt of a simple contract. It is not a qualified signature, though: for deeds, wills or other acts the law requires to carry a qualified signature, you need a different method.
Does it replace a qualified digital signature service?
No. Those generate a qualified signature backed by a certificate. This tool creates a visual signature: an image of your signature placed on top of the page, with no certificate, timestamp or audit trail.
Can I sign several pages at the same time?
No. The signature is applied only to the page you are viewing when you confirm. To sign more than one page, repeat the process starting from the already signed file.
Is the signature stored anywhere?
No. Since nothing is sent to servers, the signature you draw or upload only exists in your browser session. Save the downloaded PDF when you finish.
Is signing a PDF free?
Yes. The tool opens on the free plan, with one signature a day and files up to 10 MB. Every other tool is part of the Premium subscription, EUR 1.99 a month, which removes the limits and adds OCR.
I uploaded a photo of my signature but got "Invalid image", why?
The browser could not open the file as an image, which usually happens with HEIC photos taken on an iPhone. Convert the photo to JPG or PNG before uploading; a PNG with a transparent background usually gives the best result on the document.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. Drawing with your finger works on touch screens, though typing with precision is more comfortable on a larger screen.
Keep reading
How to number PDF pages
Step by step to add the number of every page to the bottom of the document, in "page / total" format, with no account and nothing sent to a server.
How to add a watermark to a PDF
Step by step to stamp a text diagonally across every page, without sending the file to servers and without losing sight of your document.
How to add a header and footer to a PDF
Step by step to write one line at the top and another at the bottom of the pages you choose, with automatic page numbers and nothing uploaded anywhere.
Got a PDF to sign?
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