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Draw on a PDF

Create a freehand drawing with a mouse, finger or stylus, then position it precisely on your PDF.

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Import a PDF, open the pen, draw with your chosen color and thickness, then position and resize the drawing on the page.

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How does this tool work?

Drawing on a PDF lets you add freehand strokes, as you would with a pen: circle an area, cross out a passage, sketch something, draw an arrow or write a short handwritten note. With a mouse, a finger or a stylus on a tablet, it is the most natural way to comment on a plan, a photo or a piece of homework. The drawing is made and then placed on the page in your browser.

The Draw button opens a drawing area. Choose the pen colour (black by default) and its thickness, from 1 to 50 pixels (6 by default), then draw freely. The eraser removes part of the stroke and Clear starts again from a blank area, as long as the drawing has not been confirmed.

Add drawing automatically crops the stroke and places it on the page shown as a transparent image. It can be moved, resized and deleted like any other element in the editor. You can create as many drawings as you need, on several pages.

On download, each drawing is built into its page: it looks the same everywhere and only covers the spot where it was drawn, thanks to its transparent background.

How to use this tool

  1. Import the PDF

    The document opens in the editor with the Draw button.

  2. Draw

    Open the drawing area, set colour and thickness, draw, erase if needed, then click Add drawing.

  3. Place and download

    Move and resize the drawing on the page, then download the new copy.

Use cases

Mark homework or an exercise

Circle a mistake and write a handwritten remark with a stylus.

Comment on a plan

Sketch a layout idea or a measurement on a flat or site plan.

Point out a location

Draw an arrow or a circle on a map or photo to show a precise spot.

Examples

Remark on a plan

The stroke is cropped tightly before being placed: its transparent background hides nothing else on the page.

Input

Flat plan; red circle, thickness 4, around the kitchen and the words “make bigger” written with a stylus

Result

The downloaded plan shows the circle and the handwritten words at the chosen spot, with the rest still visible

Tips and best practices

  • A stylus on a tablet gives much more precise handwriting than a mouse.
  • Choose the thickness with the final size in mind: a drawing scaled down a lot on the page will look thinner.
  • For clean shapes (rectangle, straight arrow), Annotate and highlight a PDF gives a more regular result.

Frequently asked questions

Can I draw with my finger on a phone?

Yes. The drawing area accepts mouse, finger and stylus.

Which stroke thicknesses are available?

From 1 to 50 pixels, set before each stroke; 6 pixels by default.

How do I fix a bad stroke?

Before confirming, use the eraser or Clear. Afterwards, delete the drawing in the editor and start again.

Does the drawing hide the text underneath?

Only where you drew: the rest of the image is transparent and lets the page show through.

Can I draw a signature?

Yes, but Add a signature to a PDF offers a dedicated signing area that suits it better.

Is my document sent online?

No. The drawing and its insertion into the PDF are done in your browser.

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