About the NDA Generator
NDA Generator drafts a non-disclosure agreement from a short form. Choose a one-way agreement, where one side shares secrets and the other promises to keep them, or a mutual one, where both sides do. Enter the names, the date, the purpose of sharing, how many years the secrecy lasts and whose law applies. The page then writes a complete agreement with nine numbered clauses: what counts as confidential, what the receiver must do, the usual exceptions, the duration, return of materials, no licence, remedies, governing law and general terms, followed by signature lines for both sides. You can download it as a PDF or a text file, or copy the text into your own document. It runs in your browser, so the names and details you type never leave your device. This is a general template and not legal advice: laws differ by country and state, and an important deal deserves a lawyer's review.
Updated September 2026
How to use the NDA Generator
- 1Choose One-way if only one side will share secrets, or Mutual if both will.
- 2Type the names, optional addresses, the effective date and the purpose of sharing.
- 3Set how many years the secrecy should last and enter the place whose law applies.
- 4Read the agreement on the right, then choose Download PDF, Download .txt or Copy text.
One-way or mutual: which do you need?
Use a one-way agreement when the information mostly travels in one direction, for example a founder showing a business plan to a possible investor, or a company briefing a freelancer. The sharing party is called the Disclosing Party and the other is the Receiving Party. Use a mutual agreement when both sides will reveal something, such as two companies exploring a partnership. In a mutual agreement each side plays both roles, and the same duties apply to both.
Choosing the purpose and the duration
The purpose clause is the heart of the agreement, because the receiver may use the information only for that purpose. Write it narrowly and clearly: discussing a possible investment is better than business matters. For the duration, two to five years is common for ordinary business information. Choose the trade secret option if the information, such as a formula or source code, would stay valuable for longer; it keeps the protection going for as long as the information really stays secret.
What the agreement does not cover
- Information that is already public, or becomes public without anyone breaking the agreement.
- Information the receiver already knew, or builds independently, or legitimately gets from someone else.
- Disclosures a court or authority legally demands, with notice to the other side where the law allows.
- Ownership: sharing information does not hand over any licence to use it for other things.
Before you sign
Both sides should read every clause, because an agreement is only as useful as the promises people understand. Check the names and addresses, and print or save the PDF for each side to sign and date. This tool does not file, witness or notarise anything, and it does not know your local rules, for example limits on how long or how wide a confidentiality promise may be. If a large deal, employees, or several countries are involved, ask a lawyer to adapt it. After the NDA is ready, sign it with Sign PDF, and turn plain text into a document with Text to PDF. Use the Invoice Generator and the Rent Receipt Generator for the paperwork around a deal, and the CV Maker when you are hiring someone who needs to see your terms.
Features
- One-way and mutual versions
- Nine numbered clauses including exceptions, return of materials and remedies
- Secrecy period from 1 to 10 years, with an optional trade secret clause
- Signature lines for both parties
- PDF in US Letter or A4, plain text and copy
- Live preview that updates as you type
- Nothing is uploaded or stored
Frequently asked questions
Is this NDA legally binding?
An agreement can be binding when both sides sign it and understand it, but whether this exact text suits your situation depends on where you are and what you are protecting. It is a general template, not legal advice, so have a lawyer review it for anything important.
What is the difference between a one-way and a mutual NDA?
In a one-way NDA, one party shares information and the other must keep it secret. In a mutual NDA both parties share information and both carry the duty. Pick mutual when both sides will reveal something confidential.
How long should an NDA last?
For general business information, two to five years is common. The tool accepts 1 to 10 years. Real trade secrets can be protected for as long as they stay secret, which you can switch on with the trade secret checkbox.
Do we both need to sign it?
Yes. Each side should sign and date its own block at the bottom. The PDF has two signature blocks, and it is wise for each side to keep a signed copy.
Is what I type sent to a server?
No. The agreement is built in your browser from the fields you fill in, and the PDF is made on your own device as well. Nothing is stored after you close the page.
Can I edit the agreement afterwards?
Yes. Copy the text or download the text file and edit it in any word processor. You can also change the fields here and the preview updates at once.
Which law should I enter?
Enter the place whose law you want to apply, written the way you would say it, such as the State of Texas, England and Wales, or India. Normally this is where one of the parties is based. A lawyer can advise if the parties are in different countries.