How to Sign a PDF on Chromebook (Free, No App Needed)

Chromebooks and PDF Signing

Chromebooks are great for everyday tasks, but they don't come with built-in PDF signing tools. Google's own PDF viewer can display PDFs but cannot add signatures. And while you could install an Android app from the Play Store, most PDF signing apps are bloated, full of ads, or require paid subscriptions.

The simplest solution? Use a browser-based PDF signing tool. Since Chrome is what Chromebooks do best, this approach plays to your device's strengths.

How to Sign a PDF on Chromebook

Step 1: Open SigPDF in Chrome

Go to sigpdf.com in your Chrome browser. No extensions, no Android apps, no downloads needed.

Step 2: Upload Your PDF

Click the upload area or drag and drop your PDF file from your Files app. The document loads directly in your browser.

Step 3: Create Your Signature

Click "Add Signature" and choose:

Draw — Use your Chromebook's trackpad, an attached mouse, or if you have a touchscreen Chromebook, draw with your finger
Type — Type your name and select a handwriting font

Step 4: Place and Download

Click on the PDF to place your signature. Add text or dates if needed. Click "Confirm & Download" to save the signed PDF to your Chromebook.

Why Browser-Based Signing Works Best on Chromebooks

No storage space needed — Chromebooks typically have limited storage (32-64GB). Android PDF apps can be 50-200MB. Browser-based tools use zero storage.
No app permissions — Android apps often request access to your files, camera, and contacts. A browser tool needs none of these.
Always up to date — Browser tools update automatically. No app updates to manage.
Works offline — Once SigPDF loads, the PDF processing happens locally in your browser. You can upload and sign even if your internet connection drops during the process.
Privacy — Your PDF is processed entirely in your browser. It is never uploaded to any server. This is especially important for sensitive documents like contracts or financial forms.

Other Options for Chromebook (And Why They're Worse)

Google Docs (Workaround)

You can open a PDF in Google Docs and insert a signature image. But formatting breaks badly on most PDFs — tables shift, images move, and the document often becomes unusable. Not recommended for anything beyond simple text documents.

Android PDF Apps

Apps like Adobe Acrobat, Smallpdf, or Xodo are available on the Play Store. They work but:

Take up storage space
Require account creation
Often require internet connectivity for processing
May upload your documents to their servers
Free versions have ads or watermarks

Linux Apps (Crostini)

Some Chromebooks support Linux apps. You could install a Linux PDF editor, but this is overly complex for most users and requires enabling Linux support in settings.

Tips for Signing PDFs on Chromebook

Use a touchscreen if your Chromebook has one — drawing signatures with your finger produces the most natural result
Connect an external mouse for precise signature placement if you don't have a touchscreen
Save to Google Drive after downloading — signed PDFs stored in Drive are accessible from any device
Bookmark sigpdf.com for quick access next time you need to sign something

Sign Your PDF Now

No apps, no downloads, no storage used. Open SigPDF in Chrome and sign your PDF in seconds.

Sign PDF on Chromebook →