Runs entirely in your browser
Convert PDF to PDF/A
Your PDF is cleaned up and tagged as an archival PDF/A file on your device — nothing is uploaded to a server. Drop one or more PDF files to begin.
Drag & drop PDF files here
or use the button below · multiple files supported · .pdf only
MAX 50MB PER FILE · PASSWORD-PROTECTED PDFs ARE NOT SUPPORTED, REMOVE THE PASSWORD FIRST
What Is PDF to PDF/A?
PDF/A is an archival version of the PDF format, built for documents that need to look and read the same decades from now, on software that doesn't exist yet. It restricts a regular PDF's more fragile features — embedded JavaScript, external links to fonts or files, and encryption — in favor of a self-contained file that any PDF/A-compliant reader can open reliably.
This tool reads your PDF directly in your browser, strips out the features PDF/A discourages, embeds the metadata that identifies a file as PDF/A, and rebuilds the document — all without uploading it to any server.
Why Use Our PDF to PDF/A Converter?
Most online converters ask you to upload your PDF to a remote server, wait in a queue, and trust that it's deleted afterward. This tool takes a different approach: reading and rebuilding the PDF both happen inside your own browser tab using JavaScript libraries. Your document never leaves your device.
- No account or sign-up: open the page and start converting immediately.
- No file uploads: nothing is transmitted to a server for processing.
- No paid API: conversion runs on free, open client-side libraries.
- No hidden limits: convert as many PDFs as you like.
Key Features of Our PDF to PDF/A Converter
Conformance level selection
Label your output as PDF/A-1B, PDF/A-2B, or PDF/A-3B depending on which archival standard your recipient expects.
JavaScript & action removal
Embedded scripts, open actions, and page-level auto-actions are stripped, since PDF/A forbids interactive JavaScript.
PDF/A identification metadata
An XMP metadata packet declaring the chosen PDF/A part and conformance level is embedded in the document.
Document title & producer info
Standard metadata fields are filled in, using your filename as the title by default.
Optional annotation cleanup
Strip comments and annotations that some PDF/A readers handle inconsistently — off by default, so you keep your markup unless you choose to remove it.
Combine multiple PDFs
Merge pages from multiple PDFs into a single PDF/A file for archiving as one document.
Benefits of Using PDF to PDF/A
- Long-term readability: PDF/A files are designed to open the same way years from now.
- Stay private: in-browser processing means archival records never touch a third-party server.
- Compliance-friendly: many legal, medical, and government archives require or prefer PDF/A.
- Safer files: removing embedded JavaScript reduces one class of PDF-based security risk.
- No software to install: everything runs in the browser you already have open.
How to Use PDF to PDF/A?
- Add your PDF. Drag and drop one or more PDF files onto the drop area, or click "Browse files" to select them.
- Choose your conversion options. Pick a conformance level and decide whether to strip JavaScript, annotations, or combine files.
- Click "Convert to PDF/A." Each document is cleaned up and re-tagged entirely on your device.
- Preview the result. Click the thumbnail on any converted file to see a larger preview before downloading.
- Download your file. Use the download button in the summary window that appears.
Supported File Formats
| Format | Direction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF (.pdf) | Input | Standard, unencrypted PDF files — the primary format this tool is built around. |
| PDF/A (.pdf) | Output | A PDF file carrying PDF/A identification metadata, with JavaScript and actions removed. |
| ZIP (.zip) | Output | Automatically offered when converting multiple files without combining. |
Why Choose Our Online PDF Tool?
There's no shortage of PDF-to-PDF/A converters online, but many route your file through a server, require a paid plan, or limit how many conversions you get per day. This tool is built around a simpler premise: convert entirely on your device using free, open libraries — no paid conversion API involved — be upfront about what it does and doesn't guarantee, and stay free to use without a login.
Privacy and Security
Because conversion happens client-side, your PDF is read directly into your browser's memory, modified there, and written back out as a PDF/A file — at no point is the file content sent to a server operated by this site or anyone else.
Common Use Cases
- Archiving legal or financial records that need to remain readable for many years.
- Meeting institutional or government requirements that call for PDF/A submissions.
- Preparing scanned records or reports for a long-term digital archive.
- Removing interactive scripts from PDFs before storing or forwarding them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this PDF to PDF/A converter really free?
Yes. There's no sign-up, no per-file fee, and no watermark added to the converted document.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Reading and rebuilding the PDF both run inside your browser using JavaScript. Your document is never transmitted anywhere for processing.
Does this guarantee a fully ISO-compliant PDF/A file?
Not with full certainty. This tool performs the practical steps within reach of a browser — removing JavaScript and actions, embedding PDF/A identification metadata, and setting document title — on a best-effort basis. It does not re-embed missing fonts, convert color spaces, or add a color output intent, all of which a dedicated desktop validator may check for full ISO 19005 certification. For legally mandated archival use, verify the output with a dedicated PDF/A validator.
Can it convert password-protected PDFs?
No. Files that require a password to open are not supported — remove the password with a PDF unlock tool first, then convert the result to PDF/A.
Which conformance level should I choose?
PDF/A-1B is the most widely accepted baseline. PDF/A-2B allows some newer PDF features and smaller files; PDF/A-3B additionally permits embedding non-PDF source files. If you're unsure, PDF/A-1B is the safest default.
Can I combine multiple PDFs into one PDF/A file?
Yes. With the "Combine PDFs" option enabled, all pages from all uploaded PDFs are merged into a single PDF/A file.
Is there a limit to how many files I can convert?
No daily limit is enforced. The practical limits are your device's memory and the 50MB-per-file size cap, which keeps in-browser processing responsive.
Conclusion
Preparing a document for long-term archiving shouldn't require uploading sensitive records to an unknown server or paying for specialist software. This tool aims to make the practical parts of that conversion fast, private, and free — cleaning up and re-tagging your PDF entirely on your own device, from a single record to a batch of files to archive together.