Processed on our server. This conversion needs software a browser cannot provide. Your file is sent over HTTPS, given a random temporary name, and deleted immediately after your download, never retained or logged.
About the PDF to PDF/A
PDF/A is the ISO 19005 archival profile: a PDF that carries everything needed to reproduce itself, with fonts embedded and features that could break over time — external references, JavaScript, encryption — excluded. It exists so a document opened in twenty years still renders as it does today.
It is the format national archives and records-management policies specify for long-term retention, and some regulatory and court filing systems require it explicitly. Conversion runs on the server because it needs Ghostscript; your file is sent over HTTPS, converted under a random temporary filename, and deleted immediately afterwards.
It's part of the PDF collection on Toolzy, a growing platform of 135+ free, privacy-first tools built for speed and a great experience on every device.
Also known as: pdfa, archive, iso, long, term.
Why use the PDF to PDF/A?
No watermarks on your output
Handles multi-page and large PDFs
Keeps your original formatting and quality
Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone
When to use it
Preparing documents for email or printing
Combining scanned pages or invoices
Reducing file size to meet upload limits
How to use the PDF to PDF/A
Open the PDF to PDF/A. Open the PDF to PDF/A on this page, there is nothing to install and no account needed.
Add your input. Upload your file by clicking the upload area or dragging it in.
Adjust options. Choose any options you need, the PDF to PDF/A updates instantly.
Get your result. Click the action button to download or copy your result. It is 100% free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PDF/A and when do I actually need it?
PDF/A is the ISO 19005 standard for long-term archiving. You need it when a records-retention policy, an archive, a regulator or a court filing system specifically asks for it. For ordinary sharing, a standard PDF is fine.
What changes in my document when it is converted?
Fonts are embedded so the document no longer depends on what is installed on the reader’s machine, and features that are not archival-safe — such as embedded JavaScript and encryption — are removed. Visually the document should look the same.
Can I password-protect a PDF/A file?
No, and this catches people out. PDF/A forbids encryption by design, because a document nobody can open in fifty years is not archived. If you need both, keep an encrypted working copy and a separate PDF/A copy for the archive.
Why does this run on a server?
PDF/A conversion requires Ghostscript, which cannot run in a browser tab. If Ghostscript is not available on the host you will get a clear message explaining that, rather than a silent failure.
Is my data private?
This conversion runs on our server because it needs software a browser cannot provide. Your file is sent over HTTPS, written to a temporary file with a randomly generated name, processed, and deleted the moment the result is returned to you. It is never retained, logged or used for anything else.
Is the PDF to PDF/A free?
Yes, the PDF to PDF/A is 100% free with no watermarks, no limits and no account needed.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The PDF to PDF/A works on any modern browser across desktop, tablet and mobile.
