CLEAN METADATA / THE DETAILS
A little less data.
A little more yours.
Clean Metadata is a small, free browser tool for sharing files with fewer attached details.
We focus on a simple, inspectable task: remove supported metadata containers, keep image data intact and show the fields we found. No account, upload or subscription stands between you and a cleaned copy.
How it works
- Your browser reads the files you choose into local memory. File signatures determine their format.
- A local background worker parses supported containers and creates a new copy. PDF support uses a locally bundled copy of pdf-lib.
- The output is parsed again to build the “After cleaning” report. You can inspect the difference and download the result.
- Clear the workspace or close the page to release the tool’s file references. Cleaned files you download remain on your device.
What gets removed, what stays
For JPG, we remove EXIF, XMP, extended XMP, IPTC, comments, APP11 provenance and unneeded application segments. Compressed scans, JFIF display settings and the Adobe color transform stay. Embedded JFIF thumbnails are removed.
For PNG, we remove text, EXIF, time and supported provenance chunks. Critical image data, supported color information, transparency and animation data stay. For WebP, EXIF, XMP, C2PA and other unsupported chunks are removed while compressed image, transparency and animation data stay.
ICC profiles stay by default in all supported image formats. The optional switch removes them and may change displayed colors. EXIF orientation is removed; the tool does not rotate pixels, so a cleaned photo may display differently. Other supported PNG display fields may remain.
For PDF, we remove common Info properties and supported XMP Metadata streams. Page content streams are preserved. Signed, encrypted and detected damaged PDFs are refused. Attachments, image metadata, hidden text, annotations, form values and revisions may remain. PDF cleanup is not redaction.
How cleanup is checked
The automated fixture suite compares decoded image pixels and compressed payloads, checks PDF page content streams, exercises refusal paths and validates ZIP downloads with an independent reader. Where ExifTool is installed, it independently audits cleaned image and PDF properties. These checks cover our fixtures; they cannot prove that every possible file is supported.
Limits are part of the product
We do not remove invisible pixel watermarks, guarantee anonymity or promise that a file is impossible to identify. Reports show supported fields and containers rather than every possible hidden detail. HEIC, AVIF, RAW, Office documents and audio/video formats are not supported.
There is no imposed file count or daily quota. Your browser’s memory is still finite. Use smaller batches for large files, particularly on phones.
Read our privacy explanation or explore a specific cleanup tool below.