iTrustPDF
Large white margins, black scan borders, or one figure you want to keep: cropping fixes all three. Here are three ways to crop a PDF and what to know before you do.
Short answer: choose a tool where you can see the page and drag a crop box, apply it to one page or all pages, and download the result.
What cropping does
Cropping changes the visible area of each page. The page opens at the new, smaller size and the margins you removed are no longer shown. It does not necessarily delete the content outside the box, and some PDF software can still reveal it. That makes cropping fine for tidying margins, but not for hiding private information.
Method 1: iTrustPDF Crop PDF (visual, free)
Upload your PDF
Open Crop PDF and drop in a PDF (up to 100MB). A preview of the page appears, and you can move between pages with the arrows.
Set the crop area
Drag the crop box or its edges over the part you want to keep, or type the percentage to remove from the top, bottom, left and right. Trim 5% from every edge is a one-click starting point for removing margins.
Choose which pages
Under Apply to, choose all pages (same margins) or only the page shown. Percentages are applied to each page’s own size, so different page sizes and rotated pages are handled.
Crop and download
Click Crop PDF and download the new file. The work happens in your browser, so the file is not uploaded.
Method 2: Mac Preview
Open the PDF in Preview, choose Tools → Rectangular Selection, drag a box around the area you want to keep, then choose Tools → Crop. Check each page afterwards, because the crop is applied to the page you selected.
Method 3: Adobe Acrobat Pro
In Acrobat Pro, choose Tools → Edit PDF → Crop Pages, draw the area, and apply it to a page range. It offers precise numeric margins, but it is a paid feature.
Which method should you choose?
| Method | Cost | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| iTrustPDF Crop PDF | Free | Quick visual cropping of any number of pages | Does not delete hidden content |
| Mac Preview | Included with macOS | Single pages on a Mac | Less control over many pages |
| Acrobat Pro | Paid | Professional workflows | Requires a subscription |
Cropping is not redaction
- Content outside the crop box may still exist in the file.
- If you need to remove confidential information permanently, use a redaction tool, not a crop.
- After cropping, check the result in a viewer before you share it.
Tips for a clean crop
- For scans with dark edges, trim a small equal amount from each side and check the corners.
- Crop every page with the same margins for a consistent look, then adjust single pages that differ.
- To remove whole pages instead of margins, use Split PDF to extract the pages you need.
- If the result is still large, run it through Compress PDF.
Quick answers
Does cropping reduce the file size?
Usually only slightly, because the content is still in the file. Use a compressor if size matters.
Can I crop only one page?
Yes. Show the page, set the crop, and choose to apply it to that page only.
Is the original file changed?
No. You download a new, cropped copy and your original stays as it was.