Convert PDF to PDF/A Online Free -
ISO-Standard Archiving
Convert PDFs to the ISO 19005 archival standard for long-term preservation, legal records, government submissions, and other archival requirements.
Select a PDF file
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Up to 50 MB free — 100 MB with a free account, 500 MB with Pro · Accepted: .pdf
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How to convert PDF to PDF/A online in 3 simple steps
No installation required. Convert your PDF directly from any device or browser.
Upload your PDF
Click “Choose Files” or drop any PDF into the converter. Upload contracts, records, invoices, theses, or other PDF documents, and the converter board opens instantly without requiring an account.
Select the standard
Choose a suitable PDF/A standard level for your archive or submission. PDF/A-3b supports embedded attachments for e-invoicing workflows.
Download your PDF/A
Click “Convert to PDF/A” to create your archival PDF. Your PDF/A file is created with embedded fonts, archival metadata, and the required conformance settings.
Everything you need for PDF/A conversion
Convert documents to PDF/A with built-in compliance features. No installation required, and a simple browser-based workflow.
Secure a PDF/A Conformance Level
Select PDF/A-1b, 2b, or 3b according to your document’s intended use. Follow the appropriate ISO 19005 conformance standard.
Embed Fonts Automatically
Embed all fonts directly into the converted PDF/A file. Preserve the appearance of your document's text across different systems and PDF readers.
Convert Document Colors
Convert document colors to sRGB and add an embedded OutputIntent to the PDF/A file. Maintain consistent color rendering across supported devices and PDF readers.
Add XMP Metadata
Add or update title, author, and archival XMP metadata during PDF/A conversion. Keep the converted document's metadata aligned with the requirements of the selected PDF/A standard.
E-Invoicing Ready
Create PDF/A-3b files that combine invoices with embedded attachments. Support formats including ZUGFeRD, Factur-X, and XRechnung.
Process Files Securely
Your PDFs are transferred through an encrypted connection and processed on isolated servers. Uploaded files are automatically deleted within 60 minutes.
Compare PDF/A conversion plans
Start without an account, get higher limits with a free one, or choose Pro for frequent PDF/A conversion.
Feedback from PDF Awesome Users Worldwide
Explore real reviews and feedback from PDF Awesome users across the globe on Trustpilot.
I had to send a signed PDF to a client, but one of the pages had the wrong information and I didn't have the original file anymore. I found PDF Awesome and was able to edit the PDF directly, fix the text and download the corrected version in a few minutes. Saved me from having to recreate the whole document. Really useful tool to have around.
Zhora Harutyunyan
GB · September 13, 2026
Used PDF Awesome to compress a pretty large PDF and it worked really well. The file size dropped a lot without making the pages look blurry or low quality. Quick, simple, and did exactly what I needed.
Armen Khachatryan
GB · September 9, 2026
Not gonna lie
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about "free online PDF tools" after trying a few sketchy ones that either watermark everything or crash mid-upload. PDF Awesome actually just worked. Used it to merge my project documentation — multiple files, different formatting — into one report for my web dev coursework. It held the formatting together better than I expected, and I didn't have to make an account just to download the final file. Small thing, but it mattered at 1am before a submission deadline.
Naazdeep Kaur
CA · September 8, 2026
Common Questions About PDF/A
Explore answers to common questions about converting PDF files to the PDF/A archival standard online.
How does PDF/A preserve documents?
PDF/A is based on ISO 19005 requirements - best suited for long-term electronic document preservation. It keeps files self-contained with embedded fonts, defined color information, and limited reliance on external resources. If your source file needs changes, you can edit it before conversion. This helps preserve consistent access and rendering over time.
How do PDF/A conformance levels differ?
PDF/A-1b is suited to existing documents where broad compatibility is required. PDF/A-2b combines modern PDF feature support, including JPEG2000 and transparency, with suitability for current archival workflows. This makes it our recommended option. PDF/A-3b enables embedded attachments for e-invoicing standards including ZUGFeRD, Factur-X, and XRechnung. Select the standard required for your archive or submission.
Is PDF to PDF/A conversion free?
Yes. PDF to PDF/A conversion is available for free with no account required. No-account users can process up to 5 tasks per day with files up to 50 MB per task, while free-account users get 10 tasks per day with files up to 100 MB. Pro supports files up to 500 MB per task with unlimited daily tasks. If a source file exceeds the applicable limit, you can compress it before converting.
Will converting to PDF/A change how document’s looks?
Rarely, and only where the source PDF used non-compliant features. The conversion preserves the original appearance while embedding fonts and mapping colors to sRGB for consistent rendering. PDF/A-1b flattens transparency effects. And other unsupported features may be modified based on the selected conformance level. In most cases, the result looks the same as the original.
Does a protected PDF need to be unlocked for PDF/A conversion?
Yes. You can convert a protected PDF after removing its password protection, as PDF/A does not support encryption. Use the Unlock tool with the correct password, then upload the resulting PDF for conversion. Files are processed on isolated servers and automatically deleted within 60 minutes.
How is PDF/A compliance handled during conversion?
The selected PDF/A level is converted using the applicable ISO 19005 requirements. This includes embedded fonts, XMP metadata, OutputIntent, and restrictions on prohibited features. However, conversion and independent conformance verification are separate processes. For submissions requiring independent verification, you can check the output with a free validator such as veraPDF.
Can I convert multiple PDFs to PDF/A at once?
Yes. You can convert multiple PDF files within a single task, subject to your plan's file limit. No-account users can process 1 file per task, while free users can process up to 5 files. And Pro users can process up to 25 files. Each file is converted to the selected PDF/A standard as part of the same task.
What features does PDF/A remove or restrict?
PDF/A restricts features that can prevent a document from being reliably preserved or rendered in the future. Depending on the selected conformance level, this can include encryption, external dependencies, and unsupported transparency. And other features that are not permitted by the PDF/A specification.
Can I extract text from a PDF/A file?
Yes. PDF/A files can contain a searchable text layer that remains available after conversion. Use the Extract Text tool to retrieve the document's text separately from the PDF, with output formats depending on the extraction tool.
Can PDF/A files be opened in regular PDF readers?
Yes. PDF/A files use the PDF format. And can generally be opened in standard PDF readers that support PDF documents. They remain standard PDF files with additional requirements for archival preservation. Compatible readers may also show the PDF/A conformance level or archival status.
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Make your PDFs archival-ready — free, no account needed
Convert to ISO-standard PDF/A in seconds at no cost. Need larger files? Pro raises the limit to 500 MB per task.