Flatten PDF

Make form answers, comments and stamps a permanent part of the page so they cannot be changed.

🔒 Your files are processed on your device and never uploaded.

Flatten PDF at a glance

Price
Free
Account
Not needed
Watermark
None
Privacy
Files are processed inside your browser and are never uploaded.
Works on
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone – in any modern browser
Install
Nothing to install
Keep text sharpForms and comments are merged into the page while text stays searchable.
Maximum lockOr turn every page into a picture for documents nobody should edit.
Prints correctlyFlattened PDFs look the same in every app and printer.

How to use Flatten PDF

  1. Press Select PDF file.
  2. Choose Forms & comments or Everything.
  3. Press Flatten PDF and download.

Why flatten a PDF?

A filled form can still be changed by anyone who opens it, and some apps do not show form answers or comments at all. Flattening fixes the content in place: what you see is what everybody else sees and prints. Many offices and online portals ask for flattened PDFs.

What does flattening do?

Form fields, comments, stamps and signatures are normally separate layers that can still be changed or deleted. Flattening paints them permanently onto the page, so everyone sees exactly the same thing and nothing can be edited by mistake.

When you should flatten

Good to know

Keep the original file if you may need to change the answers later. To fill in a form first, use Fill PDF Form.

Frequently asked questions

What does flattening a PDF mean?
Flattening turns form fields, comments and annotations into normal page content. The answers and notes stay visible but can no longer be edited or removed.
When should I flatten?
Before sending a completed form, so nobody can change your answers, or before printing, because some printers skip form fields and comments.
Is it free?
Yes, free with no watermark.
Can I undo flattening?
No – keep a copy of the original file if you might need to edit it again.
Will links still work?
Yes, links are kept when you flatten forms and comments.
Is my file uploaded?
No. It is flattened in your browser.

Guides for this tool

PDF GuidesWhat Does "Flatten a PDF" Mean, and When Should You Do It?

Flattening turns form fields, comments, stamps and signatures into a fixed part of the page. Learn when to flatten, the two ways to do it, and the mistakes to avoid before sending a filled form.

9 min readCareers & DocumentsHow to Fill in a PDF Form on Your Phone or Computer

Complete fillable and non-fillable PDF forms without printing. Learn how fillable fields work, how to lock your answers with flattening, and how to handle forms with no fields.

9 min readPDF GuidesHow to Add a Watermark to a PDF (Text or Logo)

Stamp CONFIDENTIAL, DRAFT or your logo on every page of a PDF. Learn which position, transparency and layer to use, and what watermarks can and cannot protect.

9 min read

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