The simplest way to sign a PDF
Most computers come with free software that can add your signature to a PDF without downloading anything extra. On Windows, Microsoft Edge (the browser that comes built in) lets you open a PDF, click "Fill & sign" in the toolbar, draw or type your name, and save the file. On Mac, Preview (the default image viewer) has a "Markup" button that opens signature tools — you can sign with your trackpad, your mouse, or by taking a photo of your handwritten signature.
If you do not have these programs or prefer something different, Adobe Reader (the free version of Adobe's PDF software) also includes a basic signature feature. You open the PDF, select "Fill & Sign" from the toolbar, and follow the same process. The file saves to your computer with your signature embedded.
All three of these options create what is called a visual signature — your name or handwriting appears on the document, but it is not cryptographically verified. This works fine for most everyday documents: contracts between friends, permission slips, internal company forms, or anything where the other person just needs proof that you saw and approved the document.
Key Takeaways
- Windows Edge and Mac Preview both have free, built-in signature tools that work without installing anything new.
- A visual signature (your name or handwriting on the PDF) is different from a digital signature (cryptographically verified), and most everyday documents only need the visual kind.
- You can sign with your mouse, trackpad, or by photographing your handwritten signature, depending on which tool you use.
- If you need a legally binding digital signature for contracts or official documents, you will need a service like DocuSign or Adobe Sign that verifies your identity.
Signing with your mouse or trackpad
Drawing a signature with your mouse or trackpad takes practice but works on any device. In Microsoft Edge, open the PDF, click "Fill & sign", then click the pen icon and draw your signature in the box that appears. Your hand will shake a bit — that is normal. If you mess up, click the eraser icon and try again. Once you are happy with it, click outside the box to lock it in place.
In Mac Preview, open the PDF, click the Markup button (it looks like a toolbox), then click "Signature" and choose "Trackpad Signature". You will see a small white box; drag your finger across your trackpad to draw. Preview saves your signature so you can reuse it on future PDFs without redrawing it each time.
The mouse method is slower and messier than the others, but it works. If your signature looks too rough, move to the next method instead.
Signing with a photo of your handwritten signature
This is the fastest way to get a realistic-looking signature. Write your name on a piece of white paper with a pen, take a photo of it with your phone or camera, and save the image to your computer. Then in your PDF tool, choose the option to add an image signature instead of drawing one.
In Microsoft Edge, click "Fill & sign", then click the image icon (it looks like a picture frame), and select your photo. Edge will crop it to just the signature part. In Mac Preview, click Markup, then "Signature", then "Camera" to take a photo right then, or "Image" to use one you already saved.
The photo method looks the most professional and takes the least time. The only downside is that your signature will be identical every time you use it, which is fine for most documents but not ideal if you are signing something where variation is expected (like a legal contract where each signature is supposed to be slightly different).
When you need a digital signature instead
A digital signature is not just your name on a document — it is a cryptographic proof that you signed it and that nobody has changed it afterward. Banks, government agencies, and law firms often require digital signatures for contracts, loan documents, and official filings because they create a legal record that can be verified in court.
Visual signatures (the kind you make with Edge or Preview) do not provide this proof. If you need a document to be legally binding and verifiable, you need a service that checks your identity and creates a digital signature. DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign are the most common ones. These services ask you to verify who you are (usually by uploading a photo ID or answering security questions), then they embed a digital signature into the PDF that proves you signed it on a specific date and time.
These services charge money — DocuSign starts at around $10 per month for individuals, though pricing varies. Some banks and employers offer them free to customers or employees. If you are not sure whether you need a digital signature, ask the person or organization requesting the signature; they will tell you which kind they accept.
Saving your signed PDF
After you add your signature, you need to save the file so the signature stays there. In Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu and select "Save as", then choose where to save it on your computer. In Mac Preview, go to File and click "Export as PDF", then choose your location and filename.
Do not just close the document without saving — your signature will disappear. If you are using Adobe Reader, the save button is in the top toolbar. Some services like DocuSign save automatically and email you the signed copy, so you do not have to do this step yourself.
After you save, you can email the signed PDF to whoever needs it, print it, or store it in a folder on your computer. The signature is now permanent and will not change if you open the file again.
Signing PDFs on your phone or tablet
If you need to sign a PDF on an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, the process is similar but slightly different. On iPhone or iPad, open the PDF in the Files app or Mail app, tap "Markup", then tap the plus sign and choose "Signature". You can draw with your finger, add a photo of your handwritten signature, or type your name.
On Android, Google Drive and Adobe Reader both have signature features. Open the PDF in either app, look for a pen or signature icon, and follow the same steps as on a computer. The main difference is that you are using your finger instead of a mouse, which is actually easier for drawing a signature.
After you sign on a phone or tablet, save the file the same way you would on a computer — look for a Save or Export button, and choose where to store it. You can then email it or upload it to a cloud service like Google Drive or OneDrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone forge my signature if I use the same one every time?
Yes, a visual signature can be copied if someone has access to the image. If you are signing something sensitive, use a different method each time (draw one, photograph a different handwritten version, type your name differently). For legally important documents, use a digital signature service that verifies your identity instead.
What if the PDF is locked and won't let me sign it?
Some PDFs are set to read-only, which means you cannot edit them. Try opening it in a different program — Edge, Preview, or Adobe Reader might have different permissions. If none of them work, ask the person who sent you the PDF to unlock it or send you an editable version.
Does my signature have to look like my real signature?
No. A visual signature is just proof that you opened and approved the document. You can type your name, draw initials, or write anything you want. For digital signatures through services like DocuSign, the signature does not have to match your real one either — the verification comes from the identity check, not the signature itself.
Can I sign a PDF that someone else is also signing?
Yes, but it depends on how the document is set up. If it is a simple PDF, you can both add your signatures to the same file and email it back and forth. If it needs to be signed in a specific order or needs to be tracked, use a service like DocuSign that manages the signing workflow and sends it to each person in sequence.
Is signing a PDF legally binding?
A visual signature on a PDF is legally binding in most places, as long as both people agreed to sign it. However, it is easier to dispute because there is no proof of identity or timestamp. A digital signature from a verified service is much harder to dispute in court because it includes cryptographic proof of who signed it and when.