The simplest way to sign a PDF depends on what software you already have

You can sign a PDF using built-in tools on your computer or phone without buying anything extra. Windows includes Microsoft Edge, which lets you open a PDF and add a signature directly. Mac users have Preview, which works the same way. On phones and tablets, the default PDF readers in iOS and Android both support signing. If you use Google Drive or Microsoft 365, those platforms also let you sign PDFs online.

The choice between these options comes down to one thing: where you want your document to live. If you sign in Edge or Preview, the file stays on your device until you save it somewhere else. If you sign in Google Drive or OneDrive, the document lives in the cloud from the start, which means you can access it from any device but also means that company stores a copy.

Before you pick a tool, decide whether you're comfortable with that trade-off. That decision matters more than which specific program you use.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Edge, Mac Preview, and phone PDF readers all let you sign for free without creating an account.
  • Cloud-based signers like Google Drive and Microsoft 365 are convenient across devices but store your document on their servers.
  • A digital signature is not the same as a handwritten one — it's a mathematical proof that you signed the document at a specific time.
  • Most everyday PDFs (rental agreements, permission forms, contracts between people you know) do not legally require a certified digital signature.
  • If a document asks for a "certified" or "notarized" signature, you'll need a service like DocuSign or Adobe Sign, which cost money.

Signing a PDF on Windows using Edge

Open the PDF file in Microsoft Edge (the browser that comes with Windows). Click the pen icon in the toolbar at the top right — it looks like a ballpoint pen. A drawing panel will open on the right side of the screen.

Use your trackpad or mouse to draw your signature in the box provided. If your handwriting looks shaky or wrong, click the trash icon to clear it and try again. When you're happy with it, click outside the drawing area to finish. Then save the file using Ctrl+S or File > Save.

Edge stores the signed PDF on your computer in the same folder where the original file was. If someone sent you the PDF by email, you'll need to move the signed copy back to email yourself — Edge doesn't send files directly.

Signing a PDF on Mac using Preview

Open the PDF in Preview (the default app for PDFs on Mac). Click Tools in the menu bar, then Annotate, then Signature. If you've never created a signature in Preview before, it will ask you to draw one using your trackpad. Draw your signature, then click Done.

Now click where you want the signature to appear in the document. Preview will paste your saved signature at that spot. You can resize it by dragging the corners. When you're finished, save the file using Command+S.

Like Edge, Preview keeps the signed PDF on your Mac. You'll need to attach it to an email or upload it yourself if you need to send it somewhere.

Signing a PDF on your phone or tablet

On iPhone or iPad, open the PDF in the built-in Books app or Files app. Tap the pen icon (usually in the top right), then select the signature tool. Draw your signature with your finger, then tap where you want it to appear in the document. Save the file when you're done.

On Android, open the PDF in Google Drive or the default PDF reader. Look for an edit or annotate button, then find the signature tool. Draw your signature and place it in the document. The file will save automatically if you're using Google Drive, or you can save it locally if you're using the built-in reader.

Phone signatures are convenient because you can sign something the moment you receive it, but remember that the document is now stored wherever you saved it — on your device, in Google Drive, or in another cloud service.

Using Google Drive or Microsoft 365 to sign online

If the PDF is already in Google Drive, right-click it and select Open With > Google Docs. Google will convert the PDF to a document format. Click Insert in the menu, then Drawing, then New. Draw your signature in the box that opens, click Save and Close, and your signature will appear in the document. read the file as a PDF when you're done.

In Microsoft 365 (OneDrive or Outlook), upload the PDF or open it from your email. Click Edit in Browser, then Insert > Signature Line. Follow the prompts to draw your signature. Save the file when finished.

Both of these methods store your document on Microsoft or Google's servers while you're working on it. If that concerns you, sign the document offline using Edge or Preview instead, then upload the finished file.

When you need a certified digital signature instead

A certified digital signature is different from a handwritten one you draw on screen. It's a mathematical code that proves you signed the document at a specific time and that nobody has changed it since. Banks, government agencies, and large companies sometimes require this kind of signature for legal contracts.

To create a certified signature, you need a service like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or HelloSign. These services cost money (usually $10 to $50 per month or per document) and require you to verify your identity. They also store your documents on their servers.

Most everyday documents — rental agreements between people you know, permission forms for school, contracts with local contractors — do not legally require a certified signature. A handwritten signature you draw in Edge or Preview is enough. Only use a paid service if the person or organization asking for the signature specifically says they need a certified one.

What happens to your document after you sign it

Once you sign a PDF using any of these methods, the signature becomes part of the file. You cannot remove it without editing the document again. The person who receives it will see your signature exactly where you placed it.

If you signed using Edge, Preview, or your phone's built-in reader, only you have a copy unless you send it to someone else. If you signed in Google Drive or OneDrive, both you and that company have a copy. If you used DocuSign or Adobe Sign, the service keeps a record of when you signed and what you signed.

Before you sign anything, think about who will see the document and where it will be stored. If it's a sensitive contract, signing offline and then emailing the file yourself gives you more control over who has access. If it's a routine form, signing in Google Drive is faster and you don't have to remember to send it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sign a PDF if I don't have a stylus or trackpad?

Yes. On a phone or tablet with a touchscreen, you can sign with your finger. On a computer without a trackpad, you can use a mouse, though the signature may look less smooth. Some services let you type your name instead of drawing a signature, which works fine for informal documents.

Is a signature I draw on my computer legally binding?

For most everyday documents, yes. A handwritten signature you create digitally is legally valid in the United States and most other countries. The exception is documents that specifically require a certified or notarized signature — those need a paid service and identity verification.

What if I make a mistake and sign in the wrong place?

If you signed using Edge or Preview, you can undo the signature by pressing Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) before you save. If you already saved, you'll need to open the file again and add a new signature in the correct spot. Most services let you have multiple signatures on one document.

Does the person receiving my signed PDF know where I signed it?

They see the signature itself and where it appears on the page, but they don't automatically know whether you signed it in Edge, Google Drive, or another tool. If you used a certified signature service like DocuSign, the document includes a record showing when you signed and that it was certified. For regular handwritten signatures, there's no timestamp or proof of when you signed unless you add one yourself.

Can I reuse the same signature for every document?

Yes. Edge, Preview, and most other tools save your signature so you can use it again. This is convenient, but it also means your signature is stored on your device or in the cloud. If you're concerned about privacy, you can draw a different signature each time, though most people don't.