Find out whether a PDF meets the PDF/A archiving standard before you submit it to a portal, court or archive. The checker reads each file and lists what would make it fail: fonts that are not embedded, colours without a profile, wrong metadata, transparency, attachments, scripts and more.
It runs on your device, so documents are never uploaded. It is a quick built-in check of the most common PDF/A rules, not an official certification. For what the levels mean, read What is PDF/A?
How to check a PDF/A file
- Choose one or more PDFs, or drop them onto the page.
- Under "Check against", keep the level each file says it meets, or choose a specific level such as PDF/A-2b.
- Select "Check".
- Read the pass or fail summary for each file, then download its .txt report with every problem listed.
What the report shows
Each report names the level the file claims, the level it was checked against, and a PASS or FAIL result. Problems are listed with how often they occur, followed by warnings that are worth a look but do not fail the file.
Good to know
- Private and free: files are checked in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.
- A file that does not say it is PDF/A is checked against PDF/A-2b, unless you choose another level.
- Encrypted or password-protected files fail straight away, because PDF/A does not allow encryption.
- When formal proof of conformance is required, confirm the result with a certified validator.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official PDF/A validator?
No. It is a practical check of the rules that most often make files fail, such as fonts, colour, metadata, transparency, attachments, actions and annotations. It catches the usual problems quickly, but it is not a certified validator and cannot issue a certificate.
My file failed. How do I fix it?
Convert it with PDF to PDF/A, which fixes most problems automatically and checks the result. If fonts are missing, export PDF/A again from the original document.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The check runs in your browser on your own device, and the reports are created there too.
Can I check several files at once?
Yes. Add them together and you get a summary for each, plus a separate report to download.