Convert PDF to PDF/A
Convert PDFs to PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b or PDF/A-3b for long-term archiving, with fonts embedded and colors standardized. Free and without sign-up.
Most tools never upload your files
How to convert a PDF to PDF/A for archiving
PDF/A is the ISO 19005 version of PDF made for long-term archiving. A PDF/A file has to carry everything it needs to display correctly in the future: all fonts are embedded, colors are tied to a defined color profile, and features that depend on outside resources or on software behavior, such as JavaScript, are not allowed. Courts, public archives, universities and many companies ask for PDF/A when documents are filed or stored. This tool converts an ordinary PDF into PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b or PDF/A-3b in a few seconds.
How to convert a PDF to PDF/A
- Add one or more PDF files by dropping them on the page or clicking to browse. Each file can be up to 100 MB.
- Choose the PDF/A version. PDF/A-2b is selected by default and is the right choice in most cases.
- Click Convert to PDF/A. Each file is converted in turn and you download it with a -pdfa suffix, or all results together as a ZIP.
Which PDF/A version should I pick?
- PDF/A-2b (recommended): based on PDF 1.7, supports transparency, layers and JPEG 2000 images. It is the most common requirement today and is accepted wherever "PDF/A" is asked for without further detail.
- PDF/A-1b (widest compatibility): the original 2005 standard based on PDF 1.4. Choose it only when a portal or archive explicitly asks for PDF/A-1, because it does not allow transparency, so some visual effects have to be simplified.
- PDF/A-3b: identical to PDF/A-2b but the standard also permits files of any type embedded in the PDF. Pick it when a system, for example an e-invoicing platform, specifically requests PDF/A-3.
The "b" stands for basic conformance: it guarantees that the pages will look the same in the future. The stricter "a" (accessible) and "u" (Unicode) levels require a tagged structure that an automatic converter cannot reliably create, so they are not offered.
What happens during conversion
The file is rewritten by Ghostscript, the widely used open-source PDF engine. Fonts are embedded, colors are converted to RGB with an embedded output profile, archival metadata is written, and elements the chosen standard does not allow are removed. Text stays text and remains searchable. The page content should look the same as before; very complex transparency effects in PDF/A-1b may look slightly different.
Tips for a smooth result
- Password-protected or restricted PDFs cannot be converted. Unlock them first with Remove PDF Password, because PDF/A does not allow encryption anyway.
- Archiving scanned paper? Run PDF OCR first so the archived copy can be searched.
- Set a proper title and author with the PDF Metadata Editor before converting; archives often index that information.
- Starting from a Word document? Word to PDF has a PDF/A option in its advanced settings, so you can create the archival file in one step.
- If your archive requires formal proof of conformance, check the result with a dedicated validator such as veraPDF. This tool converts but does not issue a validation report.
- Keep your original PDF. Conversion to PDF/A is one-way and removes features such as scripts.
Secure server processing
PDF/A conversion needs a full PDF engine, so it runs on WoowPDF's servers rather than in your browser. Your file is sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection, converted in a temporary folder that is deleted as soon as the result is sent back to you, and never stored or shared. There is no account, no watermark and no limit on how often you use the tool beyond a short pause if you send a very large number of files in a few minutes.
Features
- PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b (default) and PDF/A-3b
- Fonts embedded and colors converted with an output profile
- Text stays selectable and searchable
- Batch conversion of several PDFs, up to 100 MB each
- Encrypted upload, files deleted right after conversion
- Free, no sign-up, no watermark
Frequently asked questions
What is PDF/A?
PDF/A is an ISO standard (ISO 19005) for archiving documents. It requires embedded fonts and defined colors and forbids features like JavaScript, so the file looks the same years from now.
Which PDF/A version should I choose?
Use PDF/A-2b unless you are told otherwise. Pick PDF/A-1b only when PDF/A-1 is explicitly required, and PDF/A-3b when a system asks for PDF/A-3, for example for e-invoices.
Can I convert to PDF/A-1a, 2u or 3a?
No. The a and u levels need a tagged document structure that cannot be generated reliably by an automatic converter. The tool produces the b (basic) level, which is what most archives accept.
Is my file uploaded?
Yes, PDF/A conversion runs on our server. The file travels over an encrypted connection and is deleted as soon as the converted file is sent back.
Why did the conversion fail?
The PDF is most likely password protected or damaged. Remove the password or repair the file first, then try again.
Does the tool validate PDF/A compliance?
It converts the file with Ghostscript's PDF/A mode but does not create a validation report. If you need formal proof, check the result with a validator such as veraPDF.
Will my PDF look different after conversion?
Normally not. Text stays text and pages keep their layout. Colors are converted to RGB, and complex transparency may be simplified when you choose PDF/A-1b.