How to Sign a PDF: 5 Free Methods in 2026

Why You Need to Sign PDFs Digitally

Gone are the days of printing, signing with a pen, scanning, and emailing documents back. Whether you're signing a rental lease, an employment contract, or a freelance agreement, electronic signatures save time and are legally recognized in most countries.

In this guide, we'll walk through five free methods to sign any PDF document in 2026.

Method 1: Use an Online PDF Signer (Fastest)

Online tools like SigPDF let you sign PDFs directly in your browser without installing anything or creating an account.

How it works:

1. Go to sigpdf.com
2. Upload your PDF by dragging and dropping
3. Click "Add Signature" and draw your signature with your mouse or finger
4. Click anywhere on the PDF to place your signature
5. Download the signed PDF

Pros:

• No installation or account required
• Works on any device (desktop, phone, tablet)
• Files are processed in your browser — never uploaded to a server
• Takes less than 60 seconds

Cons:

• Requires an internet connection
• Creates simple electronic signatures (not qualified digital signatures)

Best for: Anyone who needs to sign a PDF quickly without any setup.

Method 2: macOS Preview (Built-In on Mac)

If you're on a Mac, the Preview app can add signatures to PDFs without any additional software.

How it works:

1. Open the PDF in Preview
2. Click the Markup toolbar button (pencil icon)
3. Click the Signature button
4. Create a signature using your trackpad, camera, or iPhone
5. Click to place the signature on the document
6. Save the PDF

Pros:

• Built into macOS — no installation needed
• Saves your signature for reuse
• Works offline

Cons:

• Mac only
• Limited formatting options
• Cannot add typed text or dates easily

Best for: Mac users who sign documents regularly.

Method 3: Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free Version)

Adobe's free PDF reader includes basic signature functionality.

How it works:

1. Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
2. Open your PDF
3. Go to Tools → Fill & Sign
4. Click "Sign" and draw or type your signature
5. Place it on the document and save

Pros:

• Industry standard PDF reader
• Saves signatures for reuse
• Works on Windows and Mac

Cons:

• Requires downloading and installing software (200+ MB)
• Requires creating an Adobe account
• The free version has limited features — Adobe pushes upgrades to Acrobat Pro ($12.99/month)
• Files may be processed through Adobe's servers

Best for: People who already have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.

Method 4: iPhone or iPad Markup

Apple devices have built-in PDF signing through the Markup feature.

How it works:

1. Open the PDF in the Files app or Mail
2. Tap the Markup icon (pencil in a circle)
3. Tap the "+" button and select "Signature"
4. Draw your signature with your finger
5. Place and resize it on the document
6. Tap "Done" to save

Pros:

• Built into iOS — no app needed
• Touch input makes drawing signatures natural
• Works offline

Cons:

• iOS/iPadOS only
• Limited to basic signatures (no typed text or date stamps)

Best for: iPhone and iPad users who receive PDFs via email.

Method 5: Google Docs (Workaround)

While not a dedicated PDF signer, Google Docs can open PDFs and let you add a signature image.

How it works:

1. Upload the PDF to Google Drive
2. Right-click → Open with → Google Docs
3. Insert an image of your signature (you'll need to create one separately)
4. Position the signature image on the document
5. Download as PDF

Pros:

• Free with any Google account
• Works on any device with a browser

Cons:

• Formatting often breaks when converting PDF to Google Docs
• Requires a separate signature image
• Multiple steps and workarounds needed
• Not practical for complex PDF layouts

Best for: Simple, text-heavy PDFs where formatting isn't critical.

Which Method Should You Choose?

| Method | Speed | Setup | Works On | Best For | |--------|-------|-------|----------|----------| | Online PDF Signer | Fastest | None | Any device | Quick, one-off signing | | macOS Preview | Fast | None (Mac only) | Mac | Regular Mac users | | Adobe Reader | Medium | Install required | Windows/Mac | Adobe ecosystem users | | iPhone Markup | Fast | None (iOS only) | iPhone/iPad | Mobile signing | | Google Docs | Slow | Google account | Any device | Simple text PDFs |

For most people, an online PDF signer is the fastest option. You don't need to install anything, create an account, or figure out complex software. Just upload, sign, and download.

Are Electronic Signatures Legally Valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized in:

• United States — under the ESIGN Act (2000) and UETA
• European Union — under the eIDAS Regulation (EU 910/2014)
• United Kingdom — under the Electronic Communications Act 2000
• Canada — under PIPEDA and provincial laws
• Australia — under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999

The signatures created by the methods above are "simple electronic signatures" — they're valid for most contracts, agreements, and business documents. Some specific document types (like real estate deeds or court filings) may require higher levels of authentication.

Ready to Sign Your PDF?

The fastest way to sign a PDF is with SigPDF. Upload your document, draw your signature, and download — all in under 60 seconds. No account, no installation, no hassle.

Sign Your PDF Now →