PDF to PDF/A

Create an archival PDF/A copy

PDF/A is the ISO standard for PDFs meant to be kept for years or decades: every font is embedded, colors are defined, and nothing depends on outside resources. This tool converts an ordinary PDF into a PDF/A-2b archival copy for records retention, legal and government submissions, and long-term storage.

You only receive a file that has been independently checked. If the converted document does not pass validation, the tool tells you and offers no download.

How the conversion works

1. Choose or drag in a PDF (up to 25 MB and 200 pages).
2. Select Convert to PDF/A. The file is uploaded and checked for password protection and damage.
3. Ghostscript rewrites it as PDF/A-2b, embedding fonts and an sRGB color profile.
4. The veraPDF validator then checks the result against the PDF/A-2b rules, and the page count, sizes and orientation are compared with your original.
5. Only if every check passes does your download start.

What “validated” means here

• The compliance verdict comes from veraPDF, the open-source reference validator for PDF/A, not from the converter itself.
• A file that fails validation is never offered for download, even if it converted without an error.
• Validation confirms conformance to PDF/A-2b. It does not prove the content is accurate, complete, or accessible.
• Colors are converted to sRGB and fonts are embedded, so appearance can differ slightly from the original.

Server-side processing, deleted immediately

Unlike Looty Tools' browser-only PDF tools, PDF/A conversion needs server software. Your PDF is uploaded over HTTPS, processed in a private temporary folder on the Looty Tools server, and deleted as soon as the conversion finishes. It is not stored, and it is not sent to any third-party service.

Limits and important notes

• Creates PDF/A-2b only — not PDF/A-1, PDF/A-3, or the accessibility-oriented “a” conformance levels.
• Maximum file size is 25 MB, up to 200 pages.
• Password-protected PDFs are rejected — PDF/A files cannot be encrypted.
• Some PDFs cannot be converted to a compliant file; you will get an explanation instead of a download.
• Damaged PDFs may need Repair PDF first.
• The archival copy is often larger than the original.
• When the server is busy you may be asked to try again in a minute.

Related PDF tools

• Merge PDFCombine multiple PDF files into one organized document.
• Compress PDFShrink PDF file size while keeping pages readable and print-ready.
• Protect PDFAdd a password to keep a PDF's contents private.
• OCR PDFMake scanned PDF pages searchable and selectable with OCR.
• Repair PDFAttempt to repair a damaged or corrupted PDF so it can be opened again.

PDF to PDF/A FAQ

What is PDF/A and when should I use it?

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF designed for long-term archiving. It requires a document to be self-contained — fonts embedded, colors defined, no encryption or scripts — so it should look the same decades from now. Use it when a records policy, court, government portal, library or archive asks for PDF/A, or when you want a stable copy of a document you must keep.

Which PDF/A version does this tool create?

PDF/A-2b only. The "b" means basic conformance: the visual appearance of the pages is reproducible. It is not the accessibility-oriented "a" level and it is not PDF/A-1 or PDF/A-3. If a requirement names a different version or level, this tool will not satisfy it.

How do I know the result is really PDF/A?

After conversion, the file is checked with veraPDF, the open-source reference validator for the PDF/A standard. A download is offered only if that check reports the file as compliant with PDF/A-2b. If it does not pass, you get an explanation and no file — Looty Tools will not hand you a PDF that only claims to be PDF/A.

Why did my PDF fail to convert?

Some PDFs contain things PDF/A does not allow and that cannot be safely converted, such as fonts that cannot be embedded, unusual color or transparency constructs, or damaged internal structure. A damaged file can often be fixed first with Repair PDF. Password-protected PDFs are rejected because PDF/A files cannot be encrypted.

Will the converted PDF look identical to the original?

Page sizes, orientation and page count are checked against the original, and text and images are carried across. PDF/A does require some changes: colors are converted to sRGB, and fonts are embedded, so small color or font-rendering differences are possible. Open the converted file and check it before you rely on it.

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

Yes. Conversion and validation use server-side tools, so your PDF is uploaded, processed in a temporary private folder, and deleted immediately afterward. It is not stored, and it is not shared with any third-party service.

Is there a size or page limit?

Files up to 25 MB and 200 pages. Very large or complex PDFs may take up to a minute, and if the server is busy you may be asked to try again shortly.

Is a PDF/A file larger than the original?

Often, yes. Embedding every font and a color profile adds data, so the archival copy is commonly somewhat larger than the source.