What this tool does
You upload a PDF, choose PDF/A-1b, 2b or 3b, and can set a title and author. The tool re-saves the file with PDF/A identification metadata and a standard sRGB colour profile, and removes encryption if there is any.
How to use it
- Choose a PDF (up to 24 MB).
- Choose PDF/A-1b, 2b or 3b, and add a title and author if you want them in the metadata.
- Press Convert to PDF/A, then Download PDF/A.
- Check the file with a validator such as veraPDF before you rely on it.
Be careful with the word “compliant”
PDF/A is a strict archival standard. A genuinely compliant file must meet many conditions: every font embedded, no transparency in PDF/A-1, device-independent colour throughout, no external content, and more. Making an arbitrary PDF meet all of that is hard.
What this tool does is the metadata and colour-profile step. It does not embed fonts that are missing, convert every colour, or remove other features that the standard forbids. The “validation” it shows is a basic internal check that the identification metadata is present and the file is unencrypted. It is not a full PDF/A validation.
So a file produced here may still fail a strict validator such as veraPDF. If you need certified PDF/A for a legal, government or library submission, validate the output yourself with veraPDF or another validator, and use proper conversion software such as Acrobat or a dedicated PDF/A tool if it fails.
Choosing a level
- PDF/A-1b is the oldest and strictest, and is widely accepted.
- PDF/A-2b allows newer PDF features such as transparency and JPEG 2000. It’s the usual modern choice.
- PDF/A-3b also allows embedded files of any type.
- The “b” means basic: the visual appearance is preserved, but it doesn’t require tagged structure for accessibility.
Where it helps
Producing a file labelled for archival where a simple standard check is enough, or as a first step before running a proper validator. Don’t treat the label as proof.
The upload is processed in a temporary folder and is not added to the media library. The download expires after 15 minutes. Up to 10 requests a minute are allowed.
Will the output pass PDF/A validation?
Not necessarily. The tool adds metadata and a colour profile but doesn’t fix fonts or other violations. Check with veraPDF.
Which level should I pick?
PDF/A-2b is the usual choice today. Use 1b if a system specifically asks for it.
Is the validation result trustworthy?
It is a simple internal check, not a full standards validation.
Does it remove passwords?
Yes. Encryption is removed before conversion.
What do the title and author fields do?
They are written into the file’s metadata, along with the PDF/A identification, when you convert. They are optional.