PDF to PDF/A
Convert a PDF to the PDF/A archival format for long-term preservation.
- Free, no sign-up
- No watermark
- Files deleted automatically
or drop a file here · paste with Ctrl+V
Up to 1 GB
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About PDF to PDF/A
PDF to PDF/A converts a PDF to PDF/A-2, the ISO standard for long-term archiving. Government portals, courts, universities and companies often require PDF/A because it embeds fonts and colour information inside the file, so it will look the same when opened years from now.
The conversion is done with Ghostscript. Fonts are embedded and colours are converted to RGB. Features that do not belong in an archive, such as some interactive elements, may be removed in the process.
How to use PDF to PDF/A
- Upload the PDF.
- Press Convert to PDF/A.
- Download the PDF/A file and submit or archive it.
Key features
- Converts to the PDF/A-2 archival standard
- Fonts embedded so text looks the same everywhere
- Colour converted to RGB
- Produced with Ghostscript
When to use PDF to PDF/A
- Submitting documents to e-filing systems, courts or tender portals that require PDF/A.
- Archiving contracts, invoices and records that must stay readable for years.
- Depositing a thesis or dissertation in a university repository.
Tips and common problems
- Check whether the portal asks for a specific level (PDF/A-1b, 2b, 3b). This tool produces PDF/A-2.
- Remove passwords first — encrypted PDFs cannot be PDF/A.
- Check the converted file: fonts are embedded and colours converted, so a document with unusual fonts may look slightly different.
Frequently asked questions
When a portal or archive asks for it — common for e-filing, theses, tenders and records management. For normal sharing, a regular PDF is fine.
Most documents convert cleanly, but unusual source files (for example with transparency or broken fonts) may still raise warnings in a strict validator. If a portal rejects the file, check its error message.
No. Remove the password with Unlock PDF first.