Convert Word to PDF
Turn Word documents into clean, properly-paginated PDFs. Fonts, images, headers, and footers are all preserved. Free, unlimited, and runs in your browser without installs.
Drag & drop a file
or browse from your computer · max 100 MB
Converting Word to PDF is the standard way to share a document and freeze its formatting. PDF guarantees your reader sees exactly the same layout, fonts, and images you saw — regardless of their device, OS, or installed software. PDFOnly's Word-to-PDF converter handles .docx, .doc, and .odt with full layout fidelity: headers, footers, page breaks, embedded images, and even fillable form controls survive the conversion. The output is a clean, archivable PDF you can email, print, or upload anywhere.
How to word to pdf step by step
- 1
Upload your Word document
Drop a .docx, .doc, or .odt file. We support files up to 100 MB free, 200 MB on Pro. Office documents with embedded media (images, charts, equations) all work.
- 2
We convert with LibreOffice headless
Conversion uses LibreOffice's headless renderer — the most layout-faithful open-source Word renderer. It honors page breaks, header/footer, font substitution rules, and even Word-specific features like Track Changes (which can be flattened or kept as comments).
- 3
Download your PDF
The result is a standards-compliant PDF that opens in any reader. Pages match your Word layout exactly. Hyperlinks remain clickable, the table of contents is navigable, and form fields stay fillable.
Why word to pdf on PDFOnly
Layout fidelity
Most online converters use simplified renderers that drop styling. We use LibreOffice — the same engine some Microsoft alternatives ship with — and the result matches your Word view almost exactly.
Forms preserved
Word form controls (text inputs, checkboxes, dropdowns) become PDF form fields. Most converters flatten everything into static images.
No file lock-in
Your Word source is never modified. We make a copy, convert that copy, and delete it within an hour. You keep your original.
What people use word to pdf for
A few common scenarios. If your workflow looks like one of these, this tool is a good fit.
Send a Word document to a non-Word user
Not everyone has Microsoft Word. PDF guarantees your client, reviewer, or grant committee sees the document exactly as you intended — fonts, formatting, and all.
Submit forms to government and academic portals
Most official portals require PDF, not Word, to lock the formatting. Convert your filled Word form to PDF in one click before submission.
Archive Word documents long-term
PDFs are far better for archiving than Word documents — they're not subject to font substitution issues, version compatibility, or layout drift over time.
Lock down a draft before sharing
Sending Word means the recipient can edit. Sending PDF means they read the version you wrote. Useful for proposals, quotes, and finalized contracts.
What you get
- Pixel-perfect conversion: fonts embedded, layout preserved, page breaks honored
- Supports .docx (modern Word), .doc (legacy), and .odt (OpenDocument)
- Fillable form fields are preserved as real PDF form fields
- Hyperlinks and table of contents links remain clickable
- Output is PDF/A-compatible — suitable for long-term archival
- No watermarks, no signup required
Frequently asked questions
Will my PDF look identical to the Word document?
Very nearly. Common fonts (Arial, Times, Calibri) match exactly. If your Word document uses a font we don't have on our server, we substitute the closest match — usually invisible to readers, but verify if pixel-perfect output matters.
Are images and charts preserved?
Yes. Inline images, Excel-embedded charts, SmartArt, and shapes all convert. Vector content (charts, shapes) stays vector in the PDF, so it scales without pixelation.
What about Track Changes and comments?
By default we flatten the document — accepts all changes, hides comments. If you want changes/comments visible in the PDF, accept them in Word first or use Word's 'Show Markup' option before exporting.
Can I convert .doc (legacy Word 97-2003) format?
Yes. Both .doc and .docx are supported. Older .doc files sometimes have minor formatting drift due to the older format's quirks — open in modern Word, save as .docx, then convert if you need exact fidelity.
Does the conversion preserve hyperlinks?
Yes — both external (URL) and internal (cross-reference, table of contents) hyperlinks stay clickable in the resulting PDF.
Is there a Word add-in for this?
Word's built-in Save As PDF works for most cases. Use PDFOnly when you don't have Word installed, when you want a single-platform tool that also handles .doc and .odt, or when you want PDF/A archival-quality output.
Ready to word to pdf?
Free to use for the basics. Files are auto-deleted within an hour and never used to train AI.
Open Word to PDF