Marking up a document for review — boxing a clause, circling a figure, pointing an arrow at an error — normally needs a PDF editor. This draws those shapes directly onto a page, with an optional label to say what the mark means.
Nothing is uploaded. The PDF is read and edited entirely in this tab.
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Result
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What the Annotate PDF does
Four shapes cover almost every review annotation: a rectangle to box something, an ellipse to circle it, an arrow to point at it, and a line to strike through or underline. Each is positioned by percentage and can carry a text label above it.
These are drawn onto the page rather than created as PDF comment objects. They are permanent and print with the document, which is what you usually want when sending a marked-up copy back to someone.
How to use this tool
- Select your PDF and look at the thumbnails to judge where the mark should go.
- Choose the shape and the page.
- Set the position and size as percentages. For an arrow, the shape is drawn from the top-left of the box to the bottom-right.
- Add a label if the mark needs explaining, then press Add annotation.
- Run the tool again on the result to add more marks.
How each shape is drawn
All positions are percentages of the page, from the
bottom-left corner:
x = page width × across% width = page width × width%
y = page height × up% height = page height × height%
RECTANGLE outline of that box
ELLIPSE inscribed in that box
LINE from top-left to bottom-right of the box
ARROW the same line, plus a two-stroke arrowhead
at the end point
A label, if given, is drawn 6 points above the box.
Worked example
Example: marking up a contract for review
| Shape | rectangle in red, 2 pt |
| Position | 12% across, 55% up |
| Size | 75% wide, 8% tall |
| Label | Check this clause |
Run the tool again on the output for each further mark. After the first, the vertical percentages of the page are easy to judge.
What your result means
Annotations are permanent and print with the document. A PDF reader's own comment tools create removable objects instead.
Positioning is numeric, so expect one adjustment on the first mark.
Keep the original — the annotated copy cannot be cleaned up afterwards.
Important considerations
- Red is conventional for review marks and stands out against black text.
- For an arrow, think of the box as the diagonal: the arrowhead lands at the bottom-right corner.
- To mark several things, run the tool repeatedly on the output.
- To highlight text rather than box it, the highlight tool draws a translucent band.
- Annotating invalidates any digital signature on the document.
Limitations of this tool
- One annotation per pass; run repeatedly for more.
- Positioning is numeric rather than by drawing with the mouse.
- Marks are drawn onto the page and cannot be removed later, unlike a reader's comment objects.
- Freehand drawing is not supported.
Frequently asked questions
Can I draw freehand on the PDF?
No. Four shapes are available — rectangle, ellipse, line and arrow — positioned numerically. Freehand drawing would need a canvas overlay that this tool does not provide.
How do I add several annotations?
Run the tool again on the downloaded result, once per mark. After the first, judging the percentages becomes quick.
Can the annotations be removed later?
Not from the output — they are drawn onto the page. Keep your original if you need a clean copy. A PDF reader's own comment tools create removable annotations instead.
Which way does the arrow point?
From the top-left of the box you define to the bottom-right, with the head at the bottom-right. Adjust the position and size to aim it.