How to Sign a PDF Online (Free)

Need to sign a PDF and send it back? You don’t need to print, sign, and scan. Here are 5 ways to sign PDFs online — from quick phone methods to professional e-signature workflows.

Method 1: WPsigner Online Signature Creator (Free)

If you just need to create a signature to paste into a PDF:

1. Go to wpsigner.com/online-signature-creator
2. Draw your signature using your mouse, trackpad, or finger
3. Download the signature as a transparent PNG
4. Insert the PNG into your PDF using any PDF editor

Best for: Creating a professional-looking signature image quickly.

Method 2: Browser Built-In Tools

Microsoft Edge (Windows)

1. Open the PDF in Microsoft Edge
2. Click “Add signature” in the toolbar
3. Draw or type your signature
4. Click to place it on the document
5. Save the PDF

Preview (Mac)

1. Open the PDF in Preview
2. Click the Markup toolbar button
3. Click the Signature icon
4. Create or select a signature (draw on trackpad, use camera, or iPhone)
5. Click to place it on the document
6. Save

Best for: Quick personal signing without installing anything.

Method 3: Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free)

1. Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free version)
2. Go to Tools → Fill & Sign
3. Click “Sign” → “Add Signature”
4. Type, draw, or upload an image of your signature
5. Place the signature on the document
6. Save

Best for: Advanced PDF features and widespread compatibility.

Method 4: Google Docs / Google Drive

1. Upload the PDF to Google Drive
2. Right-click → “Open with” → Google Docs
3. Google converts the PDF to an editable document
4. Insert your signature image or use the Drawing tool
5. File → Download → PDF Document

Best for: Quick editing when you don’t have a PDF editor installed. Note: formatting may shift during conversion.

Method 5: WPsigner for WordPress (Send PDFs for Signing)

For sending PDFs to other people for their signatures:

1. Upload the PDF to WPsigner in your WordPress admin
2. Drag and drop signature fields, date fields, and text fields where signers need to act
3. Enter signer emails and send
4. Signers receive a secure link — they can sign on any device
5. Signed PDFs are automatically stored with audit trails

Best for: Professional document workflows, sending contracts, collecting signatures from clients or team members.

Comparison: Which Method Should You Use?

Tips for Signing PDFs

1. Check if printing is necessary — 99% of the time, it’s not
2. Use a stylus on tablets — Creates the most natural-looking signatures
3. Save your signature — Most tools let you save your signature for reuse
4. Use an e-signature platform for business — Audit trails protect you legally
5. Keep the signed PDF — Always save a copy for your records

Sign PDFs Professionally with WPsigner

When you need to go beyond personal signing and send PDFs for e-signature:

• Upload any PDF — Works with any document
• Drag and drop fields — Signature, date, text, checkbox fields
• Multiple signers — Sequential or parallel signing
• Audit trails — Legal proof of every signature
• Self-hosted — Documents stay on your WordPress server

Start signing PDFs with WPsigner →