PDF to PDF/A

Convert PDF files to archival PDF/A in your browser

Create a PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, or PDF/A-3b archival copy using GhostPDL/Ghostscript WebAssembly. The selected PDF is processed in your browser and is not intentionally uploaded to a 2PDF2 conversion server.

Archival PDF conversion

PDF to PDF/A

Select one PDF, choose the PDF/A version and conversion policy, then create an archival copy.

Browser processing

Drop one PDF file here or Choose PDF file Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first.

Choose PDF/A version

PDF/A-1b Based on PDF 1.4. Useful when an older archival profile is specifically required. PDF/A-2b Recommended default for general long-term archival conversion. Recommended PDF/A-3b PDF/A-3 profile. Use when this archival version is specifically required.

Conversion policy

Strict conversion Abort when Ghostscript encounters a feature that cannot be emitted under the selected PDF/A rules. Recommended Compatibility mode Allow Ghostscript to omit incompatible features so conversion has a better chance of completing.

Color management: conversion uses an RGB workflow with Ghostscript's built-in sRGB ICC profile and embeds an Output Intent required for PDF/A generation.

Conversion can change document features. PDF/A does not allow every feature found in ordinary PDFs. Encryption, JavaScript actions, some annotations, embedded multimedia, transparency behavior, color spaces, or other features may be removed, transformed, or cause strict conversion to fail.

PDF/A validation: this tool performs Ghostscript PDF/A conversion and basic PDF output checks, but it does not provide a formal ISO conformance certificate. For regulated or preservation workflows, validate the downloaded file with a dedicated PDF/A validator such as veraPDF.

Conversion engine: GhostPDL/Ghostscript WebAssembly via the @okathira/ghostpdl-wasm package, distributed under AGPL-3.0-or-later.

Privacy note: the selected PDF is processed in your browser. 2PDF2 does not intentionally upload the document to its own server for PDF/A conversion. The page loads the GhostPDL WebAssembly engine and supporting code from third-party code-delivery services, and may connect to analytics or advertising services as described in our Privacy Policy.

How to convert PDF to PDF/A

Select Choose PDF file and add one unencrypted PDF.
Choose PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, or PDF/A-3b.
Use Strict conversion for the safest failure behavior, or Compatibility mode when you accept removal of unsupported features.
Select Convert to PDF/A and keep the browser tab open.
Download the generated archival PDF and validate it with a dedicated PDF/A validator when formal compliance matters.

Which PDF/A version should I choose?

PDF/A-1b

An older archival profile based on PDF 1.4. Choose it when an organization, archive, or workflow specifically requests PDF/A-1b.

PDF/A-2b

A practical general-purpose archival choice with a newer PDF foundation than PDF/A-1. It is the default option in this tool.

PDF/A-3b

A PDF/A-3 archival profile. Use it when your records-management or document workflow specifically calls for PDF/A-3.

Conformance level B

The browser conversion engine used here supports Ghostscript's PDF/A conformance level B output. It does not claim PDF/A level A or U conversion.

Strict versus compatibility mode

Strict conversion uses Ghostscript's PDF/A compatibility policy that stops processing when an incompatible operation cannot be emitted. Compatibility mode allows Ghostscript to omit certain incompatible operations instead. Compatibility mode can therefore alter more document features and should be reviewed carefully.

Does PDF/A conversion reduce quality?

This tool does not intentionally convert every page to a JPG image. Ghostscript rewrites the PDF through its PDF output engine, which can preserve text and vector content, but the conversion may still transform fonts, transparency, color spaces, annotations, metadata, and other features to satisfy the selected archival profile.

Why a separate PDF/A validator is important

PDF/A compliance contains many machine-verifiable requirements. A successful conversion and a readable output PDF do not by themselves constitute an independent conformance certificate. Dedicated tools such as veraPDF are designed to test PDF/A validation profiles.

Frequently asked questions

Is the PDF to PDF/A tool free to use?

Yes. The current 2PDF2 PDF to PDF/A tool can be used without a paid account.

Is my PDF uploaded to 2PDF2?

The PDF is processed by the GhostPDL WebAssembly engine in your browser and is not intentionally uploaded to a 2PDF2 conversion server.

Does this tool create PDF/A-2b?

Yes. PDF/A-2b is the default target. PDF/A-1b and PDF/A-3b are also available.

Can this tool create PDF/A-2a or PDF/A-2u?

No. The Ghostscript PDF/A output used by this browser tool supports conformance level B, not level A or U.

Why did strict conversion fail?

The source PDF may contain a feature that Ghostscript cannot emit under the selected PDF/A profile. You can inspect the error and decide whether Compatibility mode is acceptable for your document.

Can I convert a password-protected PDF?

Not directly. PDF/A files cannot remain encrypted. Use an authorized method to unlock the PDF first, then convert the unencrypted copy to PDF/A.

Is a successful conversion guaranteed to pass every PDF/A validator?

No. The tool uses Ghostscript's PDF/A generation mode and performs basic output validation, but formal PDF/A conformance should be checked with a dedicated validator.

Built for honest archival conversion

2PDF2 does not label a file “certified PDF/A” merely because it can be opened. The tool uses a real PDF/A conversion engine, strict compatibility controls, an ICC Output Intent, and clear guidance to perform independent validation for important archival workflows. For questions, bug reports, or feedback, visit our Contact page.