What metadata is stored in a PDF?

Most PDFs include a Document Information Dictionary with eight fields: title, author, subject, keywords, creator (the authoring app), producer (the writing library), creation date, and modification date.

Why edit or strip PDF metadata?

Before sharing a PDF, the metadata may include your full username, the name of the device, or the version of the software that produced the file. Editing lets you replace those values; stripping clears them entirely.

Does this tool work on every PDF?

It works on standard, non-encrypted PDFs that pdf-lib can parse. Password-protected PDFs need to be unlocked first.

Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?

All processing runs in your browser using pdf-lib. Our servers are not involved at any point.

PDF Metadata Editor

PDF metadata editor is a PDF tool that reads, rewrites, or strips the embedded metadata fields in a PDF. It exposes the title, author, subject, keywords, creator, producer, and the creation and modification dates, lets you edit any value, and writes a clean copy. The tool runs in your browser.

Drop a PDF here or click to browse

Dedicated pages

Direct links for common metadata tasks.

View PDF Metadata

Inspect every metadata field stored in a PDF: title, author, subject, keywords, creator software, and creation and modification dates. Runs in your browser.

Remove PDF Metadata

Strip the author, title, creator, and date fields from any PDF in one click. Useful for cleaning a PDF before sharing it. All processing runs in your browser.

Edit PDF Author and Title

Change the author, title, subject, keywords, and other metadata fields in a PDF directly in your browser. Save the modified PDF in one click.

How to edit or strip PDF metadata

Drop your PDF onto the upload area; the tool reads its metadata into the form.
Edit individual fields, or click Strip all metadata to clear every value at once.
Click Save and download to get a copy of the PDF with the updated metadata.
Use the Change file link to load another PDF.

Common uses

Cleaning a PDF before publishing it on the web so the author username does not leak. Pair with the compress PDF tool to also reduce file size.
Updating a stale title on a downloaded report so it reads correctly in PDF viewers.
Adding keywords to a PDF so it is easier to find in a desktop search index.
Removing the modification date stamp before circulating a long-shared document.

Technical specification

Algorithm or formula: Direct read and write of the PDF Document Information Dictionary (ISO 32000-1 §14.3.3) via pdf-lib's getTitle/setTitle and companion methods.
Browser API or library: pdf-lib for parsing and writing the PDF. No PDF.js needed because metadata access does not require page rendering.
Input limits: PDF up to 100 MB.
Output: A new PDF with the same page content and the modified Info Dictionary fields. Stored under the original filename with a -metadata suffix.
Known limitations: Only edits the standard Info Dictionary fields. XMP metadata blocks embedded by some applications are not touched. Encrypted PDFs must be unlocked before this tool can read or write them.

Frequently asked questions

What metadata is stored in a PDF?: Most PDFs include a Document Information Dictionary with eight fields: title, author, subject, keywords, creator (the authoring app), producer (the writing library), creation date, and modification date.
Why edit or strip PDF metadata?: Before sharing a PDF, the metadata may include your full username, the name of the device, or the version of the software that produced the file. Editing lets you replace those values; stripping clears them entirely.
Does this tool work on every PDF?: It works on standard, non-encrypted PDFs that pdf-lib can parse. Password-protected PDFs need to be unlocked first.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?: All processing runs in your browser using pdf-lib. Our servers are not involved at any point.

Reviewed and tested May 26, 2026.