The Easiest Way to Make a Fillable PDF (for Free!)

Need to create a fillable PDF but don’t want to deal with expensive, complicated software?

Good news—you can do it completely free with no downloads, no accounts to create, and best of all, no Adobe software required.

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to create a fillable PDF, whether you’re starting from scratch or working with an existing form. The best part? It’s way easier than you might think.

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Step 1: Convert your form into a PDF

Before making your form fillable, it first needs to be in PDF format. The process depends on your starting point, so let’s go over four different scenarios:

If you’re starting from scratch

If you don’t have a form yet, you’ll need to create one first. The easiest way is to use Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

• Include all necessary fields, like Name, Phone, Email, and any other details you need.
• Once your form is ready, save it as a PDF.

If you already have a form in Word or Google Docs

Great! All you need to do is save your document as a PDF—then you’re ready for the next step.

If your form is already in PDF format (but not fillable)

You’re all set—just move on to the next step, where I’ll show you how to make your PDF fillable.

If your form exists only in paper format

If you have a physical form, like a printed intake form at a doctor’s office, you’ll need to scan it to create a PDF.

• Use a flatbed scanner or a scanner app on your phone.
• Save the scanned document as a PDF file.

Once your form is in PDF format, you’re ready to make it fillable.

Step 2: Make your PDF fillable (for free)

To turn your PDF into a fillable form, we’ll be using PDFgear.com — a free online tool that requires no downloads or sign-ups.

Upload your PDF to PDFgear

1. Go to PDFgear.com.
2. Hover over "PDF Online Tools" at the top.
3. Click on "Create Fillable PDF" (or a similar option if the menu has changed).
4. Drag and drop your PDF form into the upload area.

Add fillable form fields

Now comes the fun part—adding form fields where needed.

• For text input fields (like Name, Email, or Phone), click "Text Box" and place the field on your form.
• Resize and position the text field to match your form layout.
• Double-click the text box to adjust font size and appearance. The default is 10 pixels, but I recommend at least 18 pixels for readability.

Add checkboxes, dropdowns, and signature fields

If your form requires more than just text fields, you can also add:

• Checkboxes – Ideal for forms with "Yes/No" or multiple-choice options.
• Dropdown lists – Useful for predefined answer selections.
• Signature fields – Allows users to electronically sign the document.

Align fields properly

Some form builders have an invisible grid to help with alignment—PDFgear does not (at least at the time of writing).

That means you’ll need to eyeball the alignment. Don’t stress over perfection—no one will notice if a checkbox is off by 1/100th of an inch.

Save and download your fillable PDF

Once you’ve placed all your form fields, click the big red “Download” button to save your completed fillable PDF.

Before sending your form to anyone, test it!

• Open the file and click inside each field to make sure everything works.
• If something is off, go back and fix it now instead of dealing with issues later.

At this point, your form is ready to use, but there’s one final step that most people forget.

Step 3: Provide clear instructions for users

A well-designed form is useless if people don’t know how to use it. Adding simple instructions can prevent confusion and save you a ton of headaches.

Here’s what to clarify:

How will users access your form?

You have two main options for sharing your fillable PDF:

1. Email it as an attachment – Simply send the PDF directly to your users.
2. Host it on your website – If you upload it online, provide a direct link to the form. Do not make people search all over your site to find it.

What should users do after filling out the form?

Tell users exactly what to do once they’ve completed the form.

• Print & bring it to an appointment – If you need a hard copy, specify how to print it.
• Email the completed form – If there’s no sensitive information, regular email is fine. If the form contains personal, financial, or medical details, use a secure option like ProtonMail or a HIPAA-compliant patient portal.

Does your form require an electronic signature?

Many people open PDFs in a web browser (like Chrome) or with Adobe Reader, but not all free PDF readers allow electronic signatures.

If your form requires a signature, the easiest solution is to have users sign it using PDFgear.com:

1. Go to PDFgear.com and select "Add Electronic Signatures" from the menu.
2. Drag and drop the completed PDF into the upload area.
3. Click the signature field and choose how to sign:
   • Draw a signature with a mouse (or finger on mobile).
   • Type a signature.
   • Upload a scanned signature.
4. Click "Create" to add the signature, then download the signed PDF.

Conclusion

Creating a fillable PDF doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Using a free tool like PDFgear, you can convert any document into a professional, fillable form in just a few minutes.

By following this 3-step process—converting your form to a PDF, making it fillable, and providing clear instructions—you’ll make life easier for both you and your users. And best of all, you didn’t have to spend a dime or mess with complicated software.