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Convert PDF to PDF/A online, free

Make an archival PDF/A-2b copy of your PDF, the format libraries, courts and governments ask for. Fonts, colours and metadata are all built in, so it will look the same for years.

  1. 1Choose file
  2. 2Set options
  3. 3Download

Drop your PDF here

PDF → PDF/A-2b · up to 100 MB

Choose file You can also paste a file or screenshot with Ctrl+V.

    AI assistant

    Add a PDF above to ask questions about it, summarise it or give it a better name.

    PDF to PDF/A in 3 easy steps

    1. Choose your file (PDF → PDF/A-2b): drop it on this page or click “Choose file”.
    2. Check the options (smart suggestions can set them for you), then click “Convert to PDF/A”.
    3. Download the result. Everything runs in your browser, so your files are never uploaded.

    Why use GrovePDF

    • Free, with no signup, no watermark and no daily limit.
    • Private: your files are processed on your device, never on a server.
    • AI built in: smart suggestions and an assistant that answers questions about your PDF.
    • Works on any device with a modern browser, in nearly 110 languages.

    Updated · GrovePDF team

    What is PDF/A?

    PDF/A is the version of PDF made for long-term archiving (ISO 19005). A PDF/A file carries everything it needs to look the same in 10 or 50 years: its fonts, a colour profile and its metadata are built in, and anything that depends on the outside world, such as scripts, external links or encryption, is not allowed.

    That is why courts, e-filing portals, public tenders, universities and records offices often ask for PDF/A instead of an ordinary PDF.

    Which PDF/A does GrovePDF make?

    GrovePDF makes PDF/A-2b, the level most portals accept. "2" is the second edition of the standard; "b" (basic) means the pages look exactly right. Each page is stored as a high-quality picture with its text kept as invisible, searchable text, so you can still search and copy from the archive copy.

    Standard or High quality?

    • Standard (150 dpi) suits letters, forms and most documents, with a moderate file size.
    • High (300 dpi) keeps fine print, signatures and technical drawings sharp, at the cost of a bigger file.

    Before you submit a PDF/A

    • Fill in forms and sign before converting: PDF/A removes form fields, links and attachments.
    • If the portal has a file size limit, check the size after converting. High quality makes larger files.
    • If the organisation checks files with a strict validator such as veraPDF, run the file through it before the deadline.
    • Need several documents in one archive? Merge them first, then convert the merged PDF.

    Read more: What is PDF/A? PDF vs PDF/A explained.

    PDF to PDF/A: questions and answers

    What changes in my file?

    Each page is stored as a high-quality picture with its text kept as invisible, searchable text. Links, forms, scripts and attachments are removed, as PDF/A requires.

    Will validators accept it?

    The file follows the PDF/A-2b rules: embedded fonts, an sRGB colour profile, XMP metadata and no transparency or encryption. If an organisation uses a strict validator such as veraPDF, check the file there before submitting.

    Which quality should I choose?

    Standard (150 dpi) suits most documents. High (300 dpi) keeps fine print and drawings sharp but makes a bigger file.

    Is PDF/A the same as a normal PDF?

    It is a stricter kind of PDF. Any PDF reader opens it, but it must embed its fonts and colour profile and can't contain scripts, encryption or external content, so it keeps looking the same for years.

    Can I convert a PDF to PDF/A for free without uploading it?

    Yes. GrovePDF converts the file inside your browser, so it is never uploaded. There is no signup, no watermark and no daily limit.

    Can I edit a PDF/A file afterwards?

    Editing it would break the archive rules. Keep your original PDF for changes, and convert again when the final version is ready.

    Guide: What is PDF/A? PDF vs PDF/A, and how to convert a PDF for free