How to Sign a PDF Free Online — Add Your Signature Without Adobe
Signing a PDF shouldn't require an Adobe subscription, a DocuSign account, or uploading your document to someone else's server. Whether you need to sign a contract, a form, an agreement or an offer letter — you should be able to do it in seconds, for free, without your file leaving your device.
RightPDFKit lets you draw, type or upload your signature and place it anywhere on any PDF — entirely in your browser.
How to sign a PDF free — step by step
Open RightPDFKit
Go to rightpdfkit.com and click Sign PDF in the sidebar under Sign & Certify.
Upload your PDF
Drag and drop the PDF you need to sign, or click to browse. The file loads directly into your browser — nothing is sent to any server.
Create your signature
Choose how to create it — draw with your mouse or finger, type your name in a handwriting-style font, or upload a PNG image of your actual signature.
Place and resize
Drag your signature to the right position on the page. Resize it to fit the signature field. Add it to multiple pages if needed.
Download the signed PDF
Click Apply & Download. Your signed PDF downloads instantly — ready to send.
Three ways to add your signature
Draw your signature
Use your mouse on desktop or your finger on a touchscreen to draw your signature directly in the browser. Best result on a phone or tablet where you can sign naturally with your finger.
Type your signature
Type your name and RightPDFKit renders it in a cursive handwriting font. Quick and clean — good for typed contracts where a drawn signature isn't expected.
Upload a signature image
Upload a PNG of your actual handwritten signature. Use a transparent PNG background for the cleanest result — it'll blend perfectly with any document background.
Is a free electronic signature legally valid?
For the vast majority of everyday documents — yes. In most jurisdictions, an electronic signature on a PDF carries the same legal weight as a handwritten one:
- UK — valid under the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and eIDAS regulations
- USA — valid under the ESIGN Act and UETA
- EU — valid as a Simple Electronic Signature (SES) under eIDAS
- Nigeria — valid under the Nigerian Evidence Act 2011
Electronic signature vs digital signature — what's the difference?
| Type | What it is | Legal strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic signature | Drawn, typed or image mark | Valid for most documents | Contracts, forms, letters |
| Digital signature | Certificate-based cryptographic signature | Highest legal strength | Legal, government, financial |
RightPDFKit provides electronic signatures. For certified digital signatures, DocuSign or Adobe Sign are the standard choices.
PDF signature tools compared
| Tool | Uploads file? | Draw signature | Free? | Account? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPDFKit | No — local | ✓ | Free | No |
| DocuSign | Yes | ✓ | 3 free/month | Yes |
| Adobe Acrobat online | Yes | ✓ | Limited trial | Yes |
| Smallpdf | Yes | ✓ | 2/day | Yes |
| iLovePDF | Yes | ✓ | Limited | No |
Common documents people sign with RightPDFKit
- Employment contracts and offer letters
- NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Tenancy agreements and rental forms
- Client proposals and freelance contracts
- Consent forms and parental permission slips
- Invoice acknowledgements
- School and university application forms
- Insurance documents
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign multiple pages at once?
Yes. After placing your signature on one page, you can choose to apply it to all pages or specific page ranges — useful for initialling every page of a contract.
Can I save my signature for later use?
If you upload a PNG of your signature, save that image file locally. Next time, just upload it again — it takes seconds. RightPDFKit doesn't store anything between sessions.
Will the signature look professional?
A drawn signature using your finger on a phone or tablet looks very natural. An uploaded PNG of your real handwritten signature looks identical to pen-and-paper. Typed signatures in cursive font look clean and professional for formal documents.
Can I add a date next to my signature?
Yes. Use RightPDFKit's Annotate tool to add a text box with the date, then sign using the Sign tool. Both tools are free.
Can I sign a password-protected PDF?
Unlock it first using RightPDFKit's free Unlock PDF tool, then sign. Both tools process locally — your file never leaves your device.