Is this PDF a PDF/A file?
Drop a PDF to check for PDF/A
Any PDF file
Works with PDF/A-1 PDF/A-2 PDF/A-3 PDF/A-4 Acrobat
or paste a link (Ctrl+V) Paste a link
How it works
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Drop your file in the box above, or tap to choose one.
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We read the information saved inside it. This takes a few seconds.
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The answer appears right away, with a link you can share and the full details if you want them.
What PDF/A is
PDF/A is the version of PDF made for long-term archiving (ISO 19005). It embeds all fonts, avoids anything that depends on the outside world and records its own identity, so the document will look exactly the same in decades.
Courts, public bodies, universities and e-invoicing systems often require it. A PDF/A file names its part (1 to 4) and conformance level (such as b for basic) in its metadata, which this tool reads.
- Part 1, 2, 3 or 4
- Level A, B or U
- Claimed, not validated
- PDF/X note
Questions and answers
How do I check if a PDF is PDF/A?
Drop the PDF into the box above. We read the PDF/A identification in its metadata and show the part and level it claims.
What is the difference between PDF/A-1b, 2b and 3b?
They are successive versions. PDF/A-2 allows transparency and layers; PDF/A-3 also allows attached files of any type, as used in ZUGFeRD and Factur-X e-invoices.
Does a PDF/A claim guarantee compliance?
No. Any app can write the claim. Only a full validation of the file against the standard confirms it.
How do I make a PDF/A file?
In Word, choose "Save as PDF", then Options, then "PDF/A compliant". LibreOffice and Acrobat have similar export options.
Which level should I choose?
Level B is enough for most submissions. Choose level A when accessibility is required.
What happens to my file?
Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, read on our servers and deleted automatically after about 24 hours. The answer is kept on a page with its own link, so you can share it. Tool result pages are never listed in search engines.