The easiest free way to sign a PDF on Windows 10 is with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Open the PDF, choose Fill & Sign (in newer versions, click Sign or the pen icon in the toolbar), click Sign > Add signature, then type, draw, or upload an image of your signature. Click to place it on the signature line and save the file. You can also draw a signature in Microsoft Edge‘s built-in PDF viewer with the Draw tool.
Excel workbooks can carry the same kind of certificate-based signature through an Excel signature line.
Here’s how each method works, the difference between an electronic and a digital signature, and how to sign on a touchscreen.
Ways to sign a PDF on Windows 10
| Method | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Acrobat Reader (Fill & Sign) | Free | Most documents, reusable saved signature |
| Microsoft Edge (Draw) | Free, built in | Quick sign with a mouse, pen, or touchscreen |
| Microsoft Word | Included with Microsoft 365 | Documents you’ll edit before signing |
| Certificate-based digital signature | Varies | Legal, government, or business documents that require verification |
| E-signature service | Free tiers or paid | Getting other people to sign |
Method 1: Sign with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
- Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe’s website. Watch for optional add-on offers during setup and uncheck them if you don’t want them.
- Right-click the PDF and choose Open with > Adobe Acrobat.
- Click Fill & Sign in the right pane or the All tools menu. In some versions, click the pen icon labeled Sign in the toolbar.
- Click Sign > Add signature.
- Choose Type to use a script font, Draw to sign with your mouse or pen, or Image to upload a photo of your signature. Keep Save signature checked to reuse it.
- Click Apply, then click where you want the signature. Drag the corners to resize it.
- Click the text tool to add a date if needed, then go to File > Save As to save a signed copy.
Adobe’s menus change often. If you don’t see Fill & Sign, search for “sign” in the tool search box.
Method 2: Sign in Microsoft Edge
- Right-click the PDF and choose Open with > Microsoft Edge.
- Click Draw in the PDF toolbar at the top. Choose a pen color like black or blue, and a thin width.
- Sign on the line with your mouse, stylus, or finger.
- Use Add text to type your name or the date.
- Click Save or Save as (the disk icon).
Edge doesn’t save a reusable signature, and drawing with a mouse can look shaky. A stylus or touchscreen works much better.
Method 3: Sign in Microsoft Word
- In Word, click File > Open and choose the PDF. Word converts it to an editable document. Complex layouts may shift.
- Click Insert > Pictures and add an image of your signature, or use Draw to sign.
- Click File > Save As and choose PDF.
This works best for simple documents. For forms and contracts, Acrobat Reader keeps the layout intact.
How to make a signature image
- Sign your name in dark ink on plain white paper.
- Take a photo or scan it. See how to scan from a printer to your computer.
- Crop it closely around the signature and save it as a PNG or JPG.
Electronic signature vs. digital signature
- Electronic signature: An image or drawing of your signature, like the methods above. It’s accepted for most everyday documents, such as leases, permission slips, and many business forms.
- Digital signature: Uses a certificate to prove who signed and that the file hasn’t changed since. Some government, legal, and financial documents require it. In Acrobat Reader, use Use a certificate or Digitally sign with a certificate from your organization or a trusted provider.
Rules vary by country and document type, so check with the person or organization requesting your signature if you’re unsure which they need.
Tips
- Save a copy with a new name, like “Lease – signed.pdf,” so you keep the original.
- Flatten the file if you’re worried someone might move your signature. In Acrobat, printing to Microsoft Print to PDF creates a flattened copy. See how to print to PDF on Windows.
Related: Make Adobe Acrobat the default PDF app in Windows 10.
If the PDF also needs a correction before you sign it, see how to edit a PDF on Windows with Edge, Word, or Acrobat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign a PDF on Windows 10 without downloading anything?
Yes. Microsoft Edge is built in and can draw a signature on a PDF.
Is a drawn or typed signature legally binding?
In many countries, including the US under the ESIGN Act, electronic signatures are generally valid for most documents. Some documents, such as certain wills or court filings, may have special requirements. This isn’t legal advice, so check if the document is important.
How do I sign a PDF on Windows 11?
The same methods work on Windows 11.
Why can’t I edit the PDF after signing?
Some PDFs lock after a digital signature so changes can be detected. Make changes before signing, or ask the sender for a new copy.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.