Validate PDF
Audit a PDF against archival (PDF/A) and accessibility criteria.
One PDF · up to 25 MB
How to use Validate PDF
Validate PDF runs 16 checks covering document structure, archival (PDF/A) requirements and accessibility, and explains each result in plain language.
- Upload the PDF.
- Read the report: each check passes, warns or fails, with the reason.
- Fix what matters and validate again.
Good to know
- Use it before submitting to an archive, a court or a public-sector portal that requires PDF/A or accessible documents.
- Failing accessibility checks? Run Make Accessible, then validate again.
- Fonts that are not embedded are the most common archival failure; re-export from the source with fonts embedded.
Questions about Validate PDF
- Is Validate PDF free?
- Yes. It is free with no account needed: files up to 25 MB, 40 tasks a day. Premium raises that to files up to 200 MB, 1,000 tasks a day.
- Which files can I use?
- PDF files (.pdf). One file at a time.
- What happens to my files?
- They are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on Papermint's own servers and deleted automatically: after 2 hours if you are not signed in, or 24 hours if you are. "Delete now" on the result removes them straight away. Your documents are not read, shared or sent to other services.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. Validate PDF runs in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, so there is nothing to download.
- Do I need an account?
- No. A free account keeps your results for 24 hours instead of 2 hours, so you can download them again from any device.