PDF to PDF/A Converter

Convert PDF to PDF/A online for long-term archiving. Create PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b and PDF/A-3b compliant documents directly in your browser. Free, secure and private.

Convert PDF to PDF/A online for free — the ISO-standard archival format for long-term document preservation. Create PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, or PDF/A-3b compliant documents entirely in your browser with embedded fonts, XMP metadata, and compliance validation. All processing is private and local — no uploads to any server.

Upload your PDF to get started — no sign-up required.

How to Convert PDF to PDF/A Online

  1. Upload your PDF file using the upload button or drag and drop it onto the upload zone.
  2. Select the PDF/A compliance level: PDF/A-1b (Basic), PDF/A-2b (Enhanced, recommended), or PDF/A-3b (Extended with embedded files).
  3. Optionally edit the document metadata: title, author, subject, and keywords using the settings panel.
  4. Click Convert to PDF/A and wait for the conversion to complete — the tool embeds fonts, generates XMP metadata, and validates compliance.
  5. Download your PDF/A compliant document with one click. The filename automatically includes the compliance level (e.g., document-PDFA-2B.pdf).

Why Use PDFCrush?

  • Create ISO-standard PDF/A documents for legal, government, academic and business archiving
  • Choose from three compliance levels: PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b (recommended), or PDF/A-3b
  • Edit document metadata including title, author, subject, and keywords before conversion
  • Automatic compliance validation confirms your document meets PDF/A standards
  • 100% private and secure — all processing happens locally in your browser, no files are uploaded
  • Embedded fonts ensure your document renders consistently on any device, now and in the future
  • Works on desktop and mobile — no app installation required
  • Free with no registration, watermarks, or hidden limits

Your Privacy & Security

Your privacy is protected: all PDF to PDF/A conversion occurs entirely within your browser using sandboxed memory. No files are ever uploaded to or stored on any server. When you close the tab, all document data is automatically cleared from memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PDF/A?

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF (ISO 19005) designed specifically for long-term archiving and preservation of electronic documents. Unlike regular PDFs, PDF/A ensures that documents render consistently over decades by embedding all required elements such as fonts, color profiles, and metadata within the file itself.

Why use PDF/A for archiving?

PDF/A guarantees that your document will look the same on any device, now and in the future. By embedding fonts, color profiles, and metadata, PDF/A eliminates dependencies on external resources that may become unavailable over time. This makes it the preferred format for legal, government, academic, and business records that need to be preserved for years or decades.

What is the difference between PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b and PDF/A-3b?

PDF/A-1b (2005) is the original standard which ensures basic visual preservation including embedded fonts and metadata. PDF/A-2b (2011) adds support for transparency, layers, and PDF portfolios while maintaining backward compatibility. PDF/A-3b (2012) extends PDF/A-2b by allowing any file format (XML, spreadsheets, images) to be embedded inside the PDF package, making it ideal for hybrid document collections.

Is my file uploaded to a server?

No. All processing happens entirely within your browser using local memory. Your files never leave your device. When you close the tab, all data is automatically cleared from memory. This makes the tool 100% private and secure.

How do I verify PDF/A compliance?

After conversion, our tool performs an automated compliance check and displays the result. You can also verify compliance using any standard PDF/A validator such as veraPDF, Adobe Acrobat Pro's Preflight tool, or online validators. The generated XMP metadata includes the PDF/A level identifier for easy verification.

Can I convert encrypted or password-protected PDFs?

No. PDF/A conversion requires full access to the document's internal structure. You must remove password protection using our Unlock PDF tool before converting to PDF/A.

Does PDF/A conversion reduce file quality?

PDF/A preserves the original visual appearance of your document. Fonts are embedded rather than referenced externally, which may slightly increase the file size. However, this trade-off ensures your document remains readable with exact original formatting for decades.

What metadata is included in the PDF/A file?

Our tool generates XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) metadata including title, author, subject, keywords, creator, producer, and PDF/A identification. You can edit the title, author, subject, and keywords before conversion using the metadata editor in the settings panel.