PDF to PDF/A

Were you asked to send a file as PDF/A? This turns your PDF into PDF/A-2b, the archiving format courts and archives ask for, and checks it against the standard.

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PDF to PDF/A at a glance

Coming soon · PDF to PDF/A is a tool that saves a PDF in PDF/A-2b, the archival version of PDF that courts and archives often ask for. A PDF/A file carries its fonts inside itself so it looks the same years from now. It runs on Wispdf servers, checks the result against the standard, and deletes your file within an hour.

Limits · Files up to 50 MB each, 1 GB with Pro · Up to 3 files at a time, 100 with Pro · Part of Pro and the 7-Day Pass, which open soon

Last updated October 19, 2026

How to use PDF to PDF/A

Choose your PDF
Pick the file you were asked to send as PDF/A, or drop it on the page.
Convert and check
Wispdf makes a PDF/A-2b copy on our servers and checks it against the standard.
Download and send
Save your PDF/A file and send it on. Your upload is deleted within an hour.

What PDF to PDF/A does

Converting a PDF to PDF/A means saving it in an archival version of PDF, designed so the file still opens and looks the same many years from now. A PDF/A file carries what its pages need, such as fonts, inside itself. Wispdf creates PDF/A-2b on our servers, checks it against the standard, and deletes your file within an hour.

People use it to

Upload a filing to a court system that only accepts PDF/A
Submit your thesis to a university library that asks for PDF/A
Keep company records in a format meant to stay readable for many years

What's included

PDF/A-2b output

The archiving level made to keep how every page looks, so it opens the same way later.

Checked against the standard

Wispdf tests the finished file against the PDF/A rules, so you are not guessing before you send it.

Self-contained file

PDF/A keeps what each page needs, like fonts, inside the file instead of relying on the reader's computer.

Deleted within an hour

Your file reaches our servers encrypted and is deleted within an hour. No one looks at it.

Where your file goes

PDF to PDF/A runs on our servers, where the conversion and the standards check happen. Your file is encrypted on the way and deleted within an hour, and nobody ever looks at it.

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Questions about PDF to PDF/A

What is PDF/A and why was I asked for it?

PDF/A is a version of PDF made for long-term storage. A PDF/A file keeps everything it needs to display, such as fonts, inside itself, and leaves out features that could stop it opening later, such as scripts. Courts and archives often ask for it so the file looks the same years from now.

Is PDF to PDF/A free?

PDF to PDF/A is part of Pro and the 7-Day Pass. Try Pro free for 7 days, no card needed. If you only need one file for a filing, a 7-Day Pass is $9, paid once, and never renews. Either way, you get the conversion and a check of the finished file.

Which PDF/A version does Wispdf make?

PDF to PDF/A creates PDF/A-2b. The 2 is the version of the standard, and the b stands for basic, the level meant to keep every page looking the same in the future. If the place you are sending it to names a different version, such as PDF/A-1b or PDF/A-3, check with them that PDF/A-2b is accepted.

Where does my file go when I convert to PDF/A?

PDF to PDF/A runs on our servers, because building a PDF/A file and checking it against the standard takes specialist software that a browser does not have. Your file is encrypted on the way, converted, and deleted within an hour. Nobody looks at it.

Can I make a PDF/A on a Mac or phone?

Yes. PDF to PDF/A works in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android and Chromebook, with no app to install. Choose your PDF, let Wispdf convert and check it, then download the PDF/A file to your device and send it on.

Will my PDF look different after converting to PDF/A?

It should look the same. PDF to PDF/A changes how the file is stored, and text, images and layout stay in place. Features PDF/A does not allow, such as scripts or embedded video, are left out. The file can also grow a little, because fonts are now stored inside it.