PDF to PDF/A
Convert any PDF to an ISO-compliant PDF/A archival format. Choose from 8 conformance levels — fonts embedded, colour profile attached, all external references removed.
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Convert any PDF to an ISO-standardised PDF/A for long-term archival. Processed securely on our server.
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PDF to PDF/A conversion ensures your document meets the ISO 19005 archival standard — suitable for long-term storage, legal submissions, and regulatory compliance. Unlike a standard PDF, a PDF/A file is entirely self-contained: fonts are embedded, an sRGB colour profile is attached, JavaScript and encryption are removed, and all external content references are resolved. Our converter uses Ghostscript to produce conformant output across all 8 conformance levels from PDF/A-1b (maximum compatibility) to PDF/A-3a (full accessibility with embedded attachments).
How to Convert PDF to PDF/A Online
- 1
Upload your PDF
Drag and drop your PDF or click to browse. Any PDF from any source — scanned documents, Word exports, presentations.
- 2
Choose the PDF/A conformance level
Select from PDF/A-1b through PDF/A-3a. PDF/A-2b is the recommended default — it supports modern features including JPEG 2000, transparency and OpenType fonts. Enable 'Allow Downgrade' to let the converter relax the level if the PDF contains elements that prevent strict compliance.
- 3
Convert and download the archive-ready PDF
Click Convert — your PDF/A file downloads instantly. Fonts are embedded, colour profiles are attached and all external references are removed.
PDF to PDF/A features
ISO-certified long-term archival
PDF/A removes features that cause problems over time — encryption, external fonts, JavaScript, non-embedded media — so the document renders identically decades from now.
8 conformance levels
Choose from PDF/A-1b to PDF/A-3a. Basic (-b) for minimal compliance, Unicode (-u) for searchable text, Accessible (-a) for tagged structure, and -3 levels for documents with embedded attachments.
Fonts embedded automatically
Ghostscript embeds and subsets every font used in your document so the file is self-contained and displays correctly on any system without installed fonts.
Colour profile attached
An sRGB output intent ICC profile is embedded, satisfying the PDF/A colour management requirement and ensuring accurate colour reproduction on any device.
Embedded attachments (PDF/A-3)
PDF/A-3 levels allow any file type to be embedded as an attachment — useful for e-invoices (ZUGFeRD, Factur-X), CAD drawings and structured XML data.
Private and server-processed
Your PDF is sent to our server, converted, and deleted immediately. We never store or read your documents.
Security & privacy
Your files are processed securely on our servers over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection and deleted immediately after conversion. We never store, read, or share your documents.
Frequently asked questions
What is PDF/A and why do I need it?
PDF/A is an ISO standard (ISO 19005) designed for long-term archiving of electronic documents. Unlike regular PDFs, PDF/A files are self-contained: fonts are embedded, colour profiles are attached, encryption is prohibited, and all external dependencies are removed. Governments, legal bodies, and document management systems commonly require PDF/A for archival submissions.
Which PDF/A level should I choose?
PDF/A-2b is the recommended default for most use cases — it supports modern PDF 1.7 features (JPEG 2000, transparency, OpenType fonts) while maintaining wide compatibility. Choose PDF/A-1b for maximum compatibility with older archival systems. Use PDF/A-3b or -3u if you need to embed attachments such as XML invoices or source data files alongside the visible document.
What does 'Allow Downgrade' do?
Some PDFs contain elements that prevent conversion to the exact conformance level requested — for example, non-ICC colour spaces or features specific to a higher PDF version. When 'Allow Downgrade' is enabled, Ghostscript will convert the document to the nearest compliant level it can achieve rather than failing outright. We recommend keeping this on.
What is the difference between levels a, b and u?
Within each PDF/A generation (1, 2, 3), there are sub-levels: 'b' (Basic) is the minimum requirement — it ensures visual fidelity. 'u' (Unicode) additionally requires that all text have Unicode character mappings, enabling reliable copy-paste and text search. 'a' (Accessible) goes furthest, requiring tagged logical document structure for full screen-reader and accessibility support.
Can I convert a scanned PDF to PDF/A?
Yes. A scanned PDF is essentially a sequence of images and will convert to PDF/A just fine — the images are retained as-is. If you also want the text to be searchable in the archive, run the PDF through our OCR PDF tool first to add a text layer, then convert to PDF/A.
Will the conversion change the visual appearance of my document?
Generally no. Ghostscript processes the colour space and embeds fonts while preserving the visual layout. In rare cases where the source PDF uses features incompatible with PDF/A (such as live transparency effects at level 1), the renderer must flatten those, which may cause minor rendering differences. PDF/A-2b and above support transparency natively, so these changes are much rarer.
Is PDF/A required for legal or government submissions?
Many jurisdictions and regulatory bodies mandate PDF/A for long-term document storage, court filings and official archives — including the European Union's e-invoicing standard (EN 16931 / Factur-X), various national courts, ISO 9001 document control, and GDPR-compliant data archival. Check your specific requirement to confirm the required level.