PDF to PDF/A
Convert PDF to PDF/A, the ISO standard for long-term archiving. Free, fast, and secure online conversion, no sign-up and no watermark needed.
🔒 This tool processes your file on our secure server. Files are sent over an encrypted connection.
Convert to the archival PDF/A standard.
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Convert any PDF into the ISO-standardised PDF/A format, the international standard for long-term archiving and document preservation. PDF/A embeds fonts, colour profiles and metadata so files stay reliably readable and visually identical years from now, making it ideal for legal records, invoices, contracts and government submissions. This free online converter creates compliant, self-contained PDF/A files in seconds, with no sign-up and no watermark.
How to PDF to PDF/A
- Upload the PDF file you want to archive.
- Choose your preferred PDF/A conformance level and start the conversion.
- Download your validated PDF/A document.
Frequently asked questions
Is this PDF to PDF/A converter free?
Yes, it is completely free with no account, sign-up or installation required. You can convert as many PDFs to PDF/A as you like, and your downloads never carry a watermark.
Which PDF/A conformance levels are supported?
You can choose between PDF/A-2b and PDF/A-1b. PDF/A-1b offers the widest compatibility for strict archives, while PDF/A-2b adds support for features like JPEG2000 compression and layers.
Is my file safe when I upload it?
Your PDF is uploaded over an encrypted connection and processed on a secure server. Files are not shared with anyone and are removed automatically after conversion, keeping confidential documents private.
Will the conversion change how my document looks?
No. PDF/A is designed for faithful, long-term reproduction, so text, images, layout and colours are preserved. Fonts are embedded into the file so it displays the same on any device, even decades later.
Can I use this on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The converter runs in any modern browser, so you can create PDF/A files on a phone, tablet or computer. No app download is needed to upload a PDF and download the archived result.
Which PDF/A level should I choose — 1b or 2b?
Choose PDF/A-1b when an authority, archive or portal explicitly demands the strictest, oldest profile; it forbids transparency and has the widest acceptance in long-term archiving systems. Choose PDF/A-2b for modern documents: it allows transparency and JPEG2000 images, which means better fidelity for files with layered graphics. When in doubt, ask the receiving organisation.
Will converting to PDF/A make my file larger?
Usually yes, sometimes substantially. Compliance requires every font to be embedded and colour information to be self-contained, so a file that previously relied on system fonts grows. Scans with large images change less. Confirm the result still opens correctly and that the file size is acceptable for your archive or submission portal.
Does PDF/A conversion affect digital signatures?
Yes — a signed file cannot stay signed after conversion, because the conversion rewrites the document and invalidates the signature. If you need a signed and archived version, sign the PDF/A copy afterwards, and keep the original signed file untouched for legal reference.
Will the output be encrypted or password-protected?
No. Encryption is not allowed in the PDF/A standard, so the conforming file is not password-protected. If the document is confidential, store it in an encrypted container or archive, or protect it separately after conversion — but note that re-encrypting the file removes its PDF/A conformance.
How do I verify that my file really is PDF/A?
Open the document properties in a PDF reader that reports the standard, or run it through a dedicated PDF/A validator such as veraPDF. Conversion produces a conforming file, but validators occasionally flag edge cases in complex documents, so verification matters before archiving something for the long term.
