Free PDF to PDF/A Converter Online – Archive-Ready PDF Conversion

PDF Conversion Tools

Transform your documents with precision and ease

PDF to PDF/A Converter

Convert standard PDF files to PDF/A format for long-term archiving. Preserve document integrity with ISO-compliant conversion.

Drag & drop your PDF file here

or click to browse (PDF only, max 10MB)

Conversion Options

PDF/A-2 offers the best balance of compatibility and features

Level B is sufficient for most archiving needs

Your PDF has been successfully converted to PDF/A format!

About PDF to PDF/A Conversion

Our free PDF to PDF/A converter transforms standard PDF files into PDF/A format, the ISO-standardized version designed specifically for long-term archiving and preservation of electronic documents. PDF/A files are self-contained, embed all fonts, and ensure that documents will render identically in the future, regardless of software changes.

Unlike regular PDF files that may rely on external resources, PDF/A documents embed everything needed for rendering, including fonts, color profiles, and images. This makes them ideal for legal documents, archival records, scientific publications, and any content that must remain accessible and unchanged for decades.

PDF/A-1
PDF/A-2
PDF/A-3
ISO 19005

Key Features of Our PDF/A Converter

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ISO-Compliant

Creates files that meet ISO 19005 standards for long-term preservation, ensuring compatibility with archival systems worldwide.

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Self-Contained

Embeds all fonts, color profiles, and resources to ensure documents render identically regardless of future software changes.

🛡️

Preserves Integrity

Maintains document structure, formatting, and content exactly as intended, preventing unintended modifications.

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No Installation

Works entirely online in your browser. No software downloads, installations, or registrations required.

How to Convert PDF to PDF/A

Converting your PDF files to PDF/A format is simple with our tool:

  1. Drag and drop your PDF file into the designated area or click to browse and select your file.
  2. Choose your preferred PDF/A version and compliance level from the options provided.
  3. Click the “Convert to PDF/A” button to start the conversion process.
  4. Wait for the conversion to complete. You’ll see a progress bar showing the status.
  5. When conversion is finished, click the “Download PDF/A” button to save your archive-ready file.
  6. Your PDF/A file is now ready for long-term storage and archival!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PDF/A and why is it important?
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF designed for long-term preservation. It ensures documents remain accessible and render identically decades from now by embedding all necessary resources and prohibiting features that might cause rendering issues in the future.
What’s the difference between PDF and PDF/A?
Standard PDF files may rely on external resources like fonts or use features that could become obsolete. PDF/A files are self-contained, embed all fonts and color profiles, prohibit encryption, and follow strict standards to ensure long-term accessibility.
Which PDF/A standard should I use?
PDF/A-1 is the original standard and most widely supported. PDF/A-2 offers more features like transparency and JPEG2000 compression. PDF/A-3 allows embedding of arbitrary files. Our converter creates PDF/A-2 files by default, offering a good balance of compatibility and features.
Can I convert password-protected PDFs to PDF/A?
Our tool can convert password-protected PDFs if you have the password. However, note that PDF/A standards prohibit encryption, so the resulting PDF/A file will not be password-protected.
Is PDF/A conversion really necessary?
PDF/A conversion is essential for documents that must be preserved long-term, such as legal records, historical documents, scientific publications, and government archives. For everyday use, standard PDF may be sufficient, but for archival purposes, PDF/A is the industry standard.