What Is PDF/A? (The "Forever" Format)
Standard PDF is flexible and living — it can include hyperlinks, JavaScript, external fonts, audio/video, and more. Great for everyday use… but risky for the long haul.
PDF/A (ISO 19005) is the strict, archival version of PDF. It removes anything that could break over time (no external dependencies, no multimedia, no encryption) so the document looks identical decades from now, no matter what software or OS is used.
Bottom line: Use regular PDF for today’s sharing & editing. Use PDF/A when the document must survive unchanged for years or decades (legal, government, medical, historical archives).
PDF vs PDF/A: Key Technical Differences
| Feature | Standard PDF | PDF/A |
|---|---|---|
| Fonts | Can reference external fonts | Must be fully embedded |
| Multimedia (Audio/Video) | Supported | Prohibited |
| Encryption/Password Protection | Allowed | Prohibited (must remain open) |
| External Links / References | Allowed | Prohibited |
| JavaScript / Forms (interactive) | Fully supported | Limited / Prohibited in most levels |
| Long-term reliability | Good for short/medium term | Designed for decades/centuries |
PDF/A Versions: From PDF/A-1 to PDF/A-4 (2026 Update)
PDF/A has evolved — here are the main levels used today:
- PDF/A-1 (2005, based on PDF 1.4): Most restrictive, basic visual fidelity (1a = accessible/tagged, 1b = visual only). Still very common for strict legal/government use.
- PDF/A-2 (2011, based on PDF 1.7): Adds transparency, layers, JPEG 2000 compression, better accessibility options.
- PDF/A-3 (2012): Same as A-2 but allows any file type as attachments (e.g., Word/Excel originals inside the PDF/A).
- PDF/A-4 (2020, latest — based on PDF 2.0): Modern standard. Simplifies conformance (no mandatory A/B/U levels), better metadata, supports Unicode better, optional attachments & JavaScript in some profiles. Ideal for future-proof archiving.
In 2026, PDF/A-4 is gaining traction for new archival projects, but PDF/A-1b and A-2b remain the safest bets for strict compliance requirements.
PDF or PDF/A? Quick Decision Guide
Use Standard PDF if...
- It's for daily sharing, resumes, invoices, drafts
- You need password protection or encryption
- You want interactive forms, video, or hyperlinks
- Short-term use (under 5–10 years)
Use PDF/A if...
- Long-term archiving (legal contracts, deeds, court filings)
- Government, medical records, or library preservation
- You need guaranteed visual fidelity in 20+ years
- Compliance with ISO 19005 is required
How to Convert PDF to PDF/A (Free & Easy in 2026)
Removes forbidden elements, embeds fonts/metadata, and validates ISO compliance automatically.
- 1 Go to the PDFEase PDF to PDF/A Converter
- 2 Upload your standard PDF
- 3 Choose level (PDF/A-1b for strict compliance, PDF/A-4 for modern features)
- 4 Download your archival-ready, compliant PDF/A file