How to sign a PDF on a Mac

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

You do not need to print, sign and scan. Preview stores your handwritten signature once and adds it to any PDF in a few clicks.

Step by step

1. Open the PDF in Preview

   Double-click the file, or right-click it and choose Open With, Preview.

   Done

2. Click the Markup button

   It looks like a pen tip in a circle, at the top of the window. A second toolbar appears.

   Done

3. Click the Sign button and create a signature

   Choose Trackpad and sign with your finger, Camera and hold a signed piece of white paper up to the webcam, or iPhone and sign on the phone's screen. Click Done.

   Done

4. Place the signature

   Click Sign again, click your signature, then drag it to the right place and resize it by the corners.

   Done

5. Save

   Press Command + S, or choose File, Export as PDF to keep an unsigned original.

   Done

Good to know

To fill in the rest of a form, click a text field and type, or use the Text button in the Markup toolbar.

A drawn signature like this is accepted for many everyday documents. Some contracts require a certified electronic signature from a signing service. Check what the other side needs.

On other devices, our free tool works in the browser without uploading the file: Sign PDF.

In short: Preview, Markup, Sign, create the signature, place it, save.