FAQ

There are 23: HANEPDF (PDF editor), HANECSV (CSV editor), HANEGazo (image compressor), HANECopy (screen text & color picker), HANEHikaku (file compare), HANECode (QR code generator), HANETime (clock & timer), HANEText (character counter & text cleanup), HANEHanko (digital hanko stamp), HANEPass (password generator), HANETanni (unit converter), HANEAge (Japanese era converter & age calculator), HANERec (screen recorder & video editor), HANEConv (file converter), HANESukusho (full-page screenshot), HANEClean (metadata remover), HANEPhoto (ID photo maker), HANECut (background remover), HANEMask (redaction tool), HANECard (business card maker), HANEVector (vector converter), HANEPad (kanji & emoji finder) and HANEKeisan (calculators). Each one is described on the Features page, and they’re all listed on the home page. All of them are free to use, with no sign-up.

An online tool is one you use simply by opening a page in your browser, without installing software on your computer. Because all you need is a web browser, it works the same on Windows or Mac, on almost any device. Many jobs that used to need dedicated software, like editing PDFs or converting images, can now be done easily with online tools.

No. As a rule, files are processed only inside your browser and are never stored on our servers. The exception is six PDF features (compression that keeps text, Word conversion, PowerPoint conversion, saving with a password, OCR for scanned PDFs, and saving after adding or editing text on a page), which send the file to our server temporarily for processing. That data is deleted right after processing and is never stored, accumulated or logged. The screens for those features say so clearly.

Only six HANEPDF features (compression that keeps text, Word conversion, PowerPoint conversion, saving with a password, OCR for scanned PDFs, and saving after adding or editing text on a page). They send the PDF temporarily and delete it right after processing. Every other tool processes everything inside your browser. HANERec video and audio, HANEConv files, HANEHanko stamps, HANEPass passwords, photos and drawings loaded into HANECut, HANEMask and HANEPad, and names and addresses entered in HANECard are never sent. For details, see our Privacy Policy.

Neither. Just open the page in a browser such as Chrome, Edge or Safari. You don’t even enter an email address, so you’ll never get marketing emails. We never ask you to install an app or add a browser extension. When you’re done, just close the browser.

As a rule, HANETOOL processes files only inside your browser. Because files don’t leave your device, you can work even with data that must not leave your company (only some PDF features send the file temporarily to our server, and it is deleted right after processing). Before using any online tool for work, it’s reassuring to check where files are processed and whether the operator and terms are published. HANETOOL publishes its company information, Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. See the Features page for more.

There’s no limit. We don’t cap daily uses or file sizes, so you’ll never get stopped halfway through a task. No account is needed, and you will never be charged automatically.

Yes. There’s nothing to install, so it works even without admin rights — all you need is a browser. However, your company’s network settings may restrict access to outside websites, and how you handle business data should follow your company’s rules. Each tool’s page explains how it processes files.

It depends on the tool. Image compression and resizing, merging and splitting PDFs, viewing CSV files, QR codes, the clock, character counting, digital stamps, password generation, unit conversion and Japanese era/age calculation all work in smartphone browsers. Copying text from the screen (HANECopy) and screen recording (HANERec) are computer-only, because smartphone browsers can’t capture the screen (editing a video you already have in HANERec does work on phones). Each tool’s page lists what it supports.

When the screen-sharing permission dialog appears, choose “Allow”. We recommend the latest version of Chrome, Edge or Safari. If it still doesn’t work, reload the page and try again.

Screen recording relies on screen sharing, which only desktop browsers support. Smartphone and tablet browsers can’t record at all. However, loading a video you already have to trim the start and end, hide areas or zoom in also works on smartphones. If recording won’t start on a computer, check that you chose “Allow” in the screen-sharing dialog and that you’re using the latest Chrome, Edge or Safari.

To convert video or audio, the converter component (about 31 MB) is loaded the first time only. Once it’s loaded, later conversions start without waiting (as long as your browser keeps it cached). Image-only conversions (JPEG, PNG, WebP, HEIC) don’t need this component, so they’re fast from the start.

“Saved settings” are stored only inside the browser on your device (local storage). They are not sent to our server, so they don’t carry over to other devices or browsers, and they are deleted when you clear your browser history or site data. Only the settings are saved — never the stamps, passwords or QR codes you create.

The AI model used for cutouts and emoji search is loaded from our server only the first time you use it (about 6–43 MB for HANECut, and about 95 MB for HANEPad’s emoji & kaomoji search). After that it isn’t reloaded, so it starts right away. The AI runs on your own computer; your photos and drawings are never sent to our server or to any outside AI service.

HANEPhoto crops your photo to the dimensions of each standard. We can’t guarantee it will be accepted. Requirements such as background color, face position and how recent the photo is are set by each organization, so always check their latest guidelines. If you want a white or light blue background, replace the background with HANECut (background remover) first, then load the photo.

Automatic detection is a mechanical process, so it can miss things. Always check the exported file with your own eyes before using it. You can black out anything it missed by drawing a box by hand.

We’re sorry, but because HANETOOL is provided free of charge, we don’t have a dedicated support desk. We can’t help with how-to questions, the contents of your files or data, or computer, browser or company network settings, and we don’t offer phone support. How to use each tool is explained on this page and on each tool’s page. We do our best to respond to bug reports.

No. HANEHanko only creates an image. It can’t replace seals whose authenticity is backed by official registration, such as a registered personal seal (jitsuin) or bank seal. Use it for internal approval stamps or internal documents where you want a stamped look. Creating or using a stamp in someone else’s name without their permission may constitute forgery or impersonation and is illegal. Use it only for your own name or within the scope of permission from the name holder.

Yes, you’re free to use the images you create; we place no restrictions on how they’re used. Note, however, that “QR Code” is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED. If you use the term “QR Code” in print or on a website, consider noting that it is a registered trademark, following the company’s guidance. The QR code standard itself is open, and no permission is needed to create or use the codes.

No. Passwords are created inside your browser and vanish when you close the page. They are never sent to our server or saved in your browser. Only settings such as length and character types are saved. Be sure to write down your passwords yourself or store them in a password manager. The strength shown is a theoretical estimate, not a guarantee of security.

Browsers can’t play sound until you’ve interacted with the page at least once. Click (or tap) anywhere on the page once, then try again. Also check that the tab is still open, your device volume isn’t turned down and the browser tab isn’t muted. The time comes from your device’s clock, so if that clock is off, the alarm will be off too.