PDF Tools

PDF to PDF/A

Convert a PDF to PDF/A for long-term archiving.

PDF/A is the ISO-standardized flavor of PDF built to remain readable decades from now: fonts embedded, colors device-independent, no external dependencies. Archives, courts, and government agencies commonly require it for submissions.

This tool converts standard PDFs to PDF/A-2b via Ghostscript. Your file is encrypted in transit and removed from the server within an hour.

How it works

  1. 1Select or drag in your files
  2. 2Choose your options and click “PDF to PDF/A”
  3. 3Download the result — server files are deleted within an hour

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between PDF and PDF/A?

PDF/A is a stricter subset: every font must be embedded, colors must be self-described, and features that break long-term reproduction (JavaScript, external links, encryption) are forbidden.

Who requires PDF/A?

Courts (including US federal courts), national archives, patent offices, and many government and compliance workflows require PDF/A for submitted documents.

Will my document look different as PDF/A?

It should look identical — the conversion embeds fonts and normalizes colors rather than changing content or layout.

Which PDF/A version does this produce?

PDF/A-2, the most broadly accepted modern profile. For strict submission portals, validate the output with the checker your recipient specifies — full compliance can depend on the source file's fonts.

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