PDF/A validator
Find out whether a file really is PDF/A, and which version, before you submit it. The check runs in your browser and does not change the file.
Drop the PDF/A to check
or
Checked on your device, without changing it
Drop the file here
Converting…
The file could not be converted.
What the validator checks
The validator reads the PDF/A version the file declares and checks the file against it, rule by rule. You can also pick the profile yourself, for example to see whether a document would pass as PDF/A-1b.
- Compliant — the file meets every rule of the profile checked.
- Not compliant — you see what is wrong, grouped in plain language, plus the technical detail of each rule.
- Not a PDF/A — the file declares no version: pick a profile to check it anyway, or convert it.
If the file fails, you can convert it to PDF/A on the same page without loading it again.
The most common errors
- Fonts not embedded — the document relies on fonts from the computer it was made on.
- Inconsistent metadata — title, author or dates differ between the two places PDF/A requires them.
- Colours without a profile — the colour profile that makes colours device-independent is missing.
- Transparency — allowed in PDF/A-2, forbidden in PDF/A-1.
- Attachments — PDF/A-2 only accepts attachments that are themselves PDF/A; other formats need PDF/A-3.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a PDF is PDF/A?
Drop the file on this page. The validator reads the version it declares and checks the file against that version's rules. The result appears in seconds and the file stays on your device.
Is the validator the same one used by archives?
No single validator is official. Archives often use veraPDF, the reference validator of the PDF Association. This page runs an open-source validator in your browser, and the converter is tested against veraPDF on hundreds of files.