Convert PDF to PDF/A

Make an archival PDF/A-2b copy of a PDF. The converter checks the input, rebuilds every page with an embedded sRGB colour profile, PDF/A metadata and a searchable text layer, and removes features PDF/A does not allow. Files produced this way passed the veraPDF validator in testing.

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Overview

What is the PDF/A Converter?

PDF/A is the ISO 19005 standard for PDFs that must stay readable for decades. A PDF/A file carries everything it needs inside itself: its fonts, a defined colour profile and descriptive metadata. It does not depend on scripts, external links or encryption. Courts, tax authorities, tender portals and national archives often require it.

This converter makes a PDF/A-2b copy of your PDF. Level "b" (basic) means the visual appearance is preserved exactly. First the tool inspects the input and lists what would stop it from being PDF/A, such as fonts that are not embedded, transparency, JavaScript, attachments or a missing colour profile. Then it writes a new file that meets the standard's requirements. Output from this converter was validated with veraPDF, the reference PDF/A validator, during testing.

How it works

How to convert a PDF to PDF/A

  1. Open the PDF

    The inspection lists PDF/A problems in the original, such as unembedded fonts or missing metadata.

  2. Choose resolution

    200 dpi suits most documents. Use 300 dpi for small print or detailed drawings.

  3. Convert

    Each page is rebuilt, and the result is checked for the PDF/A structures the converter adds.

  4. Download

    Save the PDF/A-2b file. Validate it with veraPDF if you need a formal report.

The method

How pages are made conformant

Fixing every possible problem inside an arbitrary PDF, such as broken font programs, device-dependent colours or nested transparency, is not reliable. So the converter redraws each page as an opaque sRGB image at the resolution you choose. The original text is then written back as an invisible text layer in an embedded font, positioned over the words, so the archive copy can still be searched and copied.

It then adds what PDF/A-2b requires: an sRGB output intent with an embedded ICC colour profile, XMP metadata identifying the file as PDF/A-2b, a file identifier, and matching document information. JavaScript, attachments, form fields and other forbidden features are left out.

Preserved
Page size and orientation, appearance, searchable text, title and author.
Changed
Vector graphics and fonts become a high-resolution image of the page.
Removed
Links, form fields, comments, JavaScript, attachments.

Examples

Examples: validation results on test files

Results from veraPDF 1.30 (PDF/A-2b profile) on files used in testing this converter.

InputOriginalAfter conversion
Simple text PDF with a standard fontFails: unembedded font, no output intent, no XMP, no file IDPasses
Report with transparency, JavaScript, attachment and a form fieldFails on all of thesePasses
Mixed portrait and rotated landscape pagesFailsPasses, orientation kept
Plain PDF with only PDF/A metadata addedClaims PDF/AValidator rejects it, which is why metadata alone is not enough

Use cases

Use cases

Court and government filings

Many e-filing systems accept PDF/A only. Convert before uploading to avoid a rejected submission.

brief.pdfbrief-pdfa.pdf

Long-term records

Contracts, invoices and HR files that must be kept for many years are safer in a self-contained format.

PDFPDF/A-2b

Scans

For scanned documents, run OCR PDF first so the archive copy has a text layer, then convert.

OCR PDFPDF/A Converter

Tips

Tips before you archive

  • Fill and sign forms first. Form fields are not kept in the PDF/A copy, so finish the content before converting.
  • Run OCR PDF on scans first so the archive copy is searchable.
  • Use 300 dpi for engineering drawings, small footnotes or fine print, and 150–200 dpi for ordinary letters and reports.
  • Keep the original next to the archive copy if you may need its links or editable fonts later.
  • If a portal has a size limit, try 150 dpi before compressing; recompressing a PDF/A file can break conformance.

Limitations

Limitations

PDF/A-2b only

Levels 2u and 2a (Unicode mapping guarantees and tagged structure), PDF/A-1 and PDF/A-3 are not produced.

Pages become images

Vector drawings are rasterised and file size grows with resolution. Text remains searchable through the invisible layer.

Interactive features are removed

Links, form fields, comments, bookmarks and attachments are not kept.

The in-browser check is not ISO validation

After conversion the tool checks the structures it is responsible for. For an official compliance report, validate the file with veraPDF or your archive's validator.

Privacy

Privacy

Inspection and conversion run in your browser. The PDF is not uploaded. The only file downloaded during conversion is the small sRGB colour profile, which is served from this site.

Related tools

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the output really PDF/A compliant?

The converter produces PDF/A-2b files. Its output passed the veraPDF validator (PDF/A-2b profile) on the test files described on this page, including deliberately non-conformant inputs. The in-browser check confirms the required structures, but it is not a full ISO validation. For a formal report, validate the downloaded file with veraPDF.

Why is the PDF/A file larger than the original?

Each page is stored as an image at the resolution you choose, plus a text layer. Text-only originals grow the most. Use 150 dpi for smaller files, then check the result is still sharp enough for your needs.

Can I still search and copy text in the PDF/A file?

Yes. The original text is kept as an invisible layer over each page, so search, selection and copy work as before. Scanned PDFs need OCR first to have text at all.

Which PDF/A version should I use?

PDF/A-2b is widely accepted for archiving and e-filing. If a portal asks specifically for PDF/A-1 or PDF/A-3, or for level "a" (accessible, tagged), this tool does not produce those.

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