PDF to PDF/A
Produce a self-contained archival PDF: fonts and colour information are embedded so the file still renders correctly decades from now.
Deleted automatically within 30 minutesYour files are ready
How to convert pdf to pdf/a
Drop your PDF
Add one file or a batch.
Choose a level
PDF/A-2b suits almost every modern requirement.
Convert
Fonts and colour data are embedded and the file is marked as PDF/A.
Download
A self-contained archival PDF.
Questions
Which level do I need?
PDF/A-1b is the strictest and most widely accepted — pick it if a form or court simply says "PDF/A". PDF/A-2b adds JPEG 2000 and transparency support and is the usual modern default. PDF/A-3b additionally allows embedded file attachments.
Will the text still be selectable?
On the Ghostscript path, yes — the text layer is preserved. On the flatten fallback, each page becomes an image, so the text stops being selectable. The tool page tells you which path this server uses.
Will it pass a validator like veraPDF?
On the Ghostscript path, yes in the great majority of cases. On the flatten fallback the file is written as PDF/A-1b with an embedded sRGB profile, which passes most checks but is not guaranteed against every rule. If you need a certificate of conformance, validate the file before you submit it.
Why did my file get bigger?
Because PDF/A has to embed every font it uses, and the flatten path stores pages as images. A larger file is the price of a document that still opens correctly in thirty years.