How to Sign a PDF on Mac (Free, No Adobe)

A contract, a consent form, or a permission slip arrives as a PDF and needs your signature. On a Mac you do not need Adobe or a printing-and-scanning trip — the built-in Preview app lets you create and place an electronic signature for free.

Here is how to sign a PDF on a Mac with Preview, plus a browser-based option when you want more control.

Sign a PDF with Preview (built into every Mac)

Preview ships with every Mac and includes a signature tool that captures, stores, and places your signature:

1. 1Open the PDF in Preview (double-click the file, or right-click and choose Open With > Preview).
2. 2Click the Markup toolbar icon (the pen-tip button), then click the Signature icon.
3. 3Choose Create Signature, then pick how to capture it — draw with your finger on the trackpad, hold a signed paper sheet up to the camera, or sign on a nearby iPhone or iPad.
4. 4Click your saved signature to place it on the page, then drag it into position and resize with the handles.
5. 5Press Command + S to save the signed PDF.

Signing with a browser tool for more control

Preview is excellent on your own Mac, but it only lets you draw a freehand signature — there is no typed option and no way to reuse a saved signature image outside Preview. A browser-based signer gives you draw, type, and upload options, and it runs entirely in the browser tab with nothing stored on the machine.

1. 1Open the Sign PDF tool in Safari or Chrome on your Mac.
2. 2Drag your PDF from Finder into the upload area, or click to browse and select it.
3. 3Choose to draw, type, or upload an image of your signature.
4. 4Drag the signature into place on the signature line.
5. 5Download the signed PDF.

Is a Mac electronic signature legally binding?

In most countries an electronic signature is just as binding as a handwritten one as long as it identifies you and shows you agreed to the content. What matters is your intent to sign, not the exact shape of the mark. If a document explicitly requires a physical signature, confirm with the other party first.

More signing tasks on a Mac

Beyond adding a signature you might need to add initials, fill in form fields, or protect a signed document from edits. Preview handles basic signing and form filling, and a browser tool covers the rest without installing a heavyweight PDF editor.