HivePDF
English
← Guides

How to Sign a PDF Electronically for Free

Updated July 13, 2026

Signing a PDF shouldn’t require creating an account with a company that stores a copy of every document you sign. Here’s how to add your signature for free, entirely in your browser, with two tools depending on whether you also need to fill anything in.

Which tool: Sign PDF or Fill & Sign

  • Just need to add a signature? Use Sign PDF — the fastest path when a document is already complete and you only need to sign it.
  • Also need to fill in blanks? Use Fill & Sign — it adds typed text anywhere on the page (for scans or flat forms with no clickable fields) alongside your signature, in one pass.

Both work the same way for the signature itself and produce the same result: a visual signature drawn permanently onto the page.

Steps to sign a PDF

  1. Open Sign PDF and drop your file.
  2. Create your signature — three ways:
    • Draw it with your mouse, trackpad, or finger on a touchscreen
    • Type your name and pick a handwriting-style font
    • Upload a photo or PNG of a signature you already have
  3. Click on the page to place it, drag to position it, and resize by dragging the corner. You can add it to more than one page or spot if needed.
  4. Click Apply, then download the signed PDF.

What “free” actually means here

There’s no per-document fee, no signature limit, and no watermark stamped across the page — because the signing happens on your device instead of a service that has to recoup server costs. That also means the document you’re signing is never uploaded anywhere, which is worth noting for anything you’d rather keep private, like a lease or an NDA.

A note on what this isn’t

A visual signature — the kind you draw or type here — is what almost everyone actually needs: proof you reviewed and agreed to a document, added quickly and kept with the file. It is not the same as a certified e-signature platform with identity verification, timestamped audit trails, and legal certificate chains, which some contracts (especially high-value or regulated ones) specifically require. If you’re not sure which you need, a visual signature covers informal agreements and everyday paperwork; anything with a legal requirement for certified e-signatures needs a dedicated service.

Once signed, merge the document with a cover letter or supporting files if you need to send them as one PDF.

Tools in this guide

Frequently asked questions

Is this a legally binding electronic signature?
It adds a visual signature baked permanently into the document, which covers the vast majority of everyday sign-and-return needs — leases, permission slips, onboarding forms, informal agreements. It is not a certified multi-party e-signature platform with identity verification and an audit trail; for documents that legally require that, use a dedicated e-signature service.
Do I need to create an account to sign a PDF?
No. Open Sign PDF, add your signature, and download — no account, no email verification, no watermark.
Can I fill in a form and sign it in one step?
Yes — use Fill & Sign instead of Sign PDF. It lets you type text anywhere on the page (for forms with no fillable fields) and add your signature in the same pass.