Printing a document, signing it with a pen, scanning it back and emailing a crooked, greyish copy: in 2026 this workflow survives purely out of habit. Signing a PDF online takes under two minutes, produces a cleaner document, and, as covered in our guide to the legal validity of electronic signatures, is legally recognized for most everyday documents in the EU, the US and beyond. Here is exactly how to do it with EasyPDF's free sign tool, from your computer or your phone.
What you need
A browser, your PDF, and nothing else. With EasyPDF you can sign without creating an account: anonymous users get 2 free operations per day, and a free account raises that to 15 files per month. No watermark is added to your signed document at any tier, worth checking before using any signing service, since several well-known tools stamp free-tier output.
Step by step: sign a PDF online
- Open the sign tool. Go to EasyPDF Sign and drop your PDF onto the page, or tap to pick it from your device. The file is processed in your browser, so a contract or an HR form does not get uploaded to a server.
- Create your signature. Three options: draw it with your mouse, trackpad or finger (on a touchscreen this feels closest to pen and paper), type your name and pick a signature style, or upload an image of your signature if you already have one.
- Place and resize it. Click where the signature belongs, then drag the corners so it sits naturally on the signature line, the same visual size a pen signature would have.
- Add the date and any extra fields. Most agreements expect a date next to the signature; add it as text. Initials on each page work the same way if the contract requires them.
- Download the signed PDF. Save it under a clear name such as contract-acme-signed.pdf. The original unsigned file stays untouched on your device.
- Send it and keep your copy. Email it to the other party and archive the exact file you signed, your email trail plus the unmodified file are your evidence if the document is ever questioned.
Signing from your phone
The same tool works on mobile browsers, and drawing with a fingertip on the touchscreen usually gives a more natural signature than a mouse ever does. This covers the classic urgent scenario: a contract arrives while you are away from your desk, you open it, sign with your finger and return it within minutes, no app installation, no printer hunt.
After signing: three habits worth keeping
- Sign the final version only. If the text changes after you signed, the signature loses its meaning, sign again on the new version.
- Protect sensitive documents. For contracts or HR files, consider adding a password before sending the signed PDF over email.
- Mind the upload limits. If the signed file must go into a portal with a size cap, compress it to the required target after signing.
Which documents can you sign this way?
A drawn or typed signature is a simple electronic signature, the right level for most business and personal paperwork: contracts, NDAs, quotes and proposals, freelance agreements, consent forms, invoices. For documents with statutory form requirements (real-estate deeds, wills, some court filings), check whether your jurisdiction requires a qualified signature or a notary; our article on electronic vs scanned signatures explains the levels in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is signing a PDF online free?
With EasyPDF, yes: 2 operations per day without an account, or 15 files per month with a free account, and no watermark on the output. Paid plans exist for heavy signing volumes.
Do I need to create an account to sign one document?
No. One-off signing works without any account. An account becomes useful if you sign regularly and want the higher monthly quota.
Is my document uploaded to a server when I sign it?
No, EasyPDF processes the file in your browser by default. That matters for contracts, HR documents and anything confidential.
Can several people sign the same PDF?
Yes, sequentially: sign your part, send the file, and the next person adds their signature the same way. Each signer should keep a copy of the version they signed.
Is a signature drawn online legally valid?
For most everyday documents, yes, it is a simple electronic signature, recognized under eIDAS in the EU and the ESIGN Act in the US. High-stakes documents may require a certificate-based qualified signature; see our legal validity guide.