How to Add a Signature to a PDF for Free

Sign a PDF or image without printing it. Add a typed or hand-drawn signature, place it exactly where it belongs and download the signed file for free.

Printing a form, signing it with a pen and scanning it back in is a slow way to spend ten minutes. You can sign directly on the PDF instead. Here is how to do it and a few things to check so the result looks professional.

Sign a PDF in four steps

Open the Add Signature tool and upload your PDF or image.
Choose how to create the signature. Type Name turns your name into a handwriting-style signature. Draw Signature lets you sign with a mouse, finger or stylus.
Pick the ink colour and pen size. Dark blue or black looks the most natural on official forms.
Drag the signature onto the right page, resize it with the corner handle, and click Download signed file.

For multi-page documents, use the page buttons to move to the page that has the signature line.

Typed or drawn: which should you use?

A typed signature is clean and consistent, and it is quick. A drawn signature looks more personal and is closer to what you would write on paper. If the document will be compared with an ID or a bank record, a drawn signature that resembles your usual one is usually the safer choice.

Tips for a neat result

Draw big, then shrink. A larger drawing is smoother. Scale it down once it is on the page.
Sit it on the line. Place the bottom of the signature slightly above the signature line, not across the printed text.
Check the zoom. Zoom in once before downloading to make sure the signature does not cover anything important.
Keep the original. Save an unsigned copy. If a page needs to change later, you will want a clean file.

Before you send it

A signature image is an electronic signature, not a certified digital signature. Many employers, schools and online services accept it, but banks, government offices and legal documents sometimes want something stricter. When in doubt, ask the person who requested the document what they accept.

Need to fix a typo or update a date before signing? Use the PDF editor first, then add your signature as the last step. If you are sharing a draft rather than a final document, a text watermark such as DRAFT keeps it from being mistaken for the final version.

Is it safe to sign sensitive files online?

Signature tools that upload your file to a server see everything on the page. Docsworker does the work in your browser, so the document is not sent anywhere for signing. Read more about how this works in Are Online PDF Tools Safe?

Try it now: Add SignatureFree, no sign-up, and your files stay in your browser.

Open Add Signature

Frequently asked questions

Is a signature image legally valid?

It depends on the country, the type of document and who receives it. Many everyday forms and agreements accept a simple electronic signature, but some documents need witnesses, notarisation or a certified digital signature. Check the requirements with the recipient. This is general information, not legal advice.

Can I draw my signature with a finger?

Yes. On a phone or tablet you can draw with your finger or a stylus. On a computer you can draw with the mouse or a touchscreen.

Will the signature have a watermark?

No. Docsworker does not add watermarks to signed files.

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Related tools: PDF Editor · Text Watermark