Word to PDF converts a .docx document into a fixed-layout PDF. Drop the file onto the upload card, review the live preview, add optional header and footer text (with {page} and {total} placeholders for page numbers), then press Convert to PDF. The tool parses the .docx in your browser with Mammoth.js, renders it with html2canvas and writes the PDF with jsPDF. Nothing is uploaded, so your document stays private. Download the result, preview it in a new tab, or share a link. The whole process is free, needs no signup, and works on phones, tablets and computers.
What is a Word to PDF converter?
A Word to PDF converter turns a .docx document into a fixed-layout PDF. Unlike .docx, which depends on installed fonts and Word settings, a PDF renders the same on every device. This tool converts the document in your browser, preserving headings, paragraphs, tables, images and lists while adding pagination and optional headers and footers .
People search for “word to pdf” because they need to share a document with someone who does not have Word installed, upload a resume to a job portal that only accepts PDF, print a contract at a print shop, or archive a report that must not change. A PDF locks the layout, renders the same on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and is easy to email or upload .
The PDF format is an open standard published as ISO 32000. You can read its background in the Wikipedia article on PDF, and the .docx history in the Office Open XML article. The parser uses Mammoth.js and the PDF is built with html2pdf.js.
How do I convert Word to PDF?
The conversion takes four steps and never requires an account. Here is the exact process.
- Add your Word fileDrag a .docx file onto the upload card, click Browse, or import it from Google Drive or Dropbox. The tool reads the file in your browser and converts it to HTML with Mammoth.js.
- Review the live previewThe preview shows exactly how the document will appear in the PDF, including headings, tables, images, lists and blockquotes. Add a header or footer text if you need one.
- Choose your optionsSet an optional header and footer. The footer supports the {page} and {total} placeholders so you can add page numbers automatically.
- Convert and downloadClick Convert to PDF and watch the progress bar. The tool renders each page with html2canvas and writes the PDF with jsPDF, then saves the file to your device.
Small documents convert in a few seconds. A 20-page report with images takes longer because the browser has to rasterise each page at 2× scale. Keep an eye on the progress bar for live status, and stay on the page until the download button appears .
What can the converter do?
Beyond basic conversion, the tool offers the controls that matter for readable, printable PDFs. This table lists each setting and its effect.
| Setting | Options | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Input | .docx file, Google Drive, Dropbox | Accepts the modern Word format from any source. |
| Live preview | Auto-rendered | Shows the document exactly as it will appear in the PDF. |
| Header | Free text | Prints a centred header on every page. |
| Footer | Free text with {page} and {total} | Prints a centred footer with page numbers. |
| Page size | A4 (fixed) | Standard A4 pages for universal compatibility. |
| Open preview | New tab | Opens the intermediate HTML in a new tab for inspection. |
| Download HTML | Save | Download the intermediate HTML for further editing or custom styling. |
| Reset | Clear | Start over with a different .docx file. |
Once the PDF is ready, edit it with our PDF editor, lock it with protect PDF, or merge it with other files using merge PDFs.
What Word formatting is preserved?
Word documents contain many element types. Because this tool converts .docx to HTML with Mammoth.js, it preserves the structural elements that matter for reading while simplifying the ones that depend on Word's specific rendering engine. Here is what you can expect.
| Word element | Preserved in PDF? |
|---|---|
| Headings (H1–H4) | Yes — rendered as bold styled headings |
| Paragraphs and line breaks | Yes — as real paragraphs |
| Bold, italic, underline | Yes — preserved as inline styles |
| Lists (bulleted and numbered) | Yes — with correct list markers |
| Tables | Yes — with borders and header rows |
| Images | Yes — embedded as base64 data URLs |
| Hyperlinks | Yes — clickable in the preview |
| Blockquotes | Yes — styled with a coloured left border |
| Text boxes, SmartArt, tracked changes | No — simplified or omitted |
| Page breaks | No — replaced by the PDF's own pagination |
| Headers and footers | No — replaced by the fields in this tool |
Tip: if you need pixel-perfect fidelity for text boxes, SmartArt or tracked changes, use Word\u2019s built-in Export as PDF. This tool focuses on clean, shareable, browser-generated PDFs that work in any reader.
Why convert Word to PDF?
People convert Word documents to PDF every day, and the reasons go beyond tidiness. A PDF opens the same on any device, so the reader sees exactly what you intended. These are the most common situations.
Job applications
Job portals and recruiters expect PDF resumes. Convert .docx to PDF so your layout stays exactly as you designed it.
Contracts and agreements
Send a fixed-layout PDF of a signed contract so pagination, formatting and clauses never shift between reader apps.
Academic papers
Journals and conferences ask for PDF submissions. Convert your .docx draft before uploading to the portal.
Printing
Print shops accept PDF but not .docx. Converting first avoids font substitutions and pagination surprises.
Email attachments
PDFs open on every device, including phones and tablets. Send the deck without worrying about the reader's software.
Archiving
PDF is the standard archival format because it preserves layout and is easy to validate with checksums.
After conversion, continue the workflow with merge PDFs to combine multiple documents, or compress PDF to shrink email attachments.
Does the tool upload my Word document to a server?
No. The entire conversion runs inside your browser. The tool reads the .docx file on your device with Mammoth.js, renders it with html2canvas, and writes the PDF with jsPDF. Nothing is uploaded to any server, and nothing is stored after you close the tab. This makes the tool safe for contracts, resumes, medical records and other confidential documents .
- Local processing. The conversion code runs on your device, which also makes it fast on a good connection and usable on slow ones once the page has loaded.
- Direct cloud downloads. When you import from Google Drive or Dropbox, your browser fetches the file straight from that provider after you grant access.
- No account needed. You can convert without logging in. Read our privacy policy for full details about the site.
Tips for the best PDF results
- Use .docx, not .doc. Older .doc files must be re-saved as .docx in Word, LibreOffice Writer or Google Docs before upload.
- Preview before you convert. The live preview shows exactly what the PDF will look like. Fix any issues in the source .docx before uploading.
- Add a footer with
{page}and{total}. That combination prints "Page 3 of 12" on every page. - Use the Open button to inspect. It opens the intermediate HTML in a new tab, which helps you see how images and tables will render.
- Download the HTML if you need custom styling. The Save HTML button gives you a fully rendered, self-contained HTML file you can edit further.
- Compress after conversion. If the PDF exceeds an email limit, run it through our PDF compressor.
Common problems and quick fixes
Most conversion problems come from a handful of causes. Check this list before you start over, because each fix takes only a few seconds.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| File will not open | The file is .doc, corrupted or password-protected. | Re-save as .docx in Word, LibreOffice Writer or Google Docs. Remove any password first. |
| Text boxes are missing | Mammoth.js does not parse text boxes. | Use Word's Export as PDF for pixel-perfect fidelity with text boxes and SmartArt. |
| Images do not appear | Images are linked, not embedded. | Embed images in Word (Insert → Picture, not Insert → Link), then re-save the .docx. |
| Tables look broken | The .docx uses merged cells or nested tables. | Simplify the table in Word, or use Word's Export as PDF for exact fidelity. |
| PDF is very large | Many high-resolution images. | Compress the images in the source .docx before converting, or compress the PDF afterwards. |
| Cloud import fails | The sign-in window was blocked or closed. | Allow pop-ups for this site, then press the Drive or Dropbox button again. |
If a file still fails, open it in LibreOffice Writer, a free cross-platform word processor. LibreOffice can inspect the .docx, re-save it, and export directly to PDF if you need exact fidelity.
DOC, DOCX, RTF and PDF compared
Word documents come in several formats. This tool handles .docx, the modern Word format.
| Format | Notes | Convert to PDF here? |
|---|---|---|
| DOCX | Modern Word format (2007+). ZIP + XML container. | Yes |
| DOC | Legacy binary format (97–2003). | No — re-save as .docx first |
| RTF | Rich Text Format. Use the RTF to PDF tool. | No |
| TXT | Plain text. Use the Text to PDF tool. | No |
| Fixed-layout output. | Already PDF |
For RTF files, use the RTF to PDF tool. For plain text, use Text to PDF. For spreadsheets, use Excel to PDF or CSV to PDF. Each tool is optimized for its specific input format.
Related PDF tools
A good document workflow often needs more than one step. These tools work well after Word to PDF, and all of them are free.
You can also read practical guides on our blog, or learn more about the team on the About page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Word to PDF converter?
Is the Word to PDF converter free?
Does the tool upload my Word document to a server?
Which Word features are preserved?
What is the difference between .doc and .docx?
Can I add headers and footers?
How do I add page numbers?
Does it work with non-English documents?
Can I convert multiple .docx files at once?
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Can I import from Google Drive or Dropbox?
Can I edit the PDF after conversion?
Ready to turn your Word document into a PDF?
Drop a .docx, review the live preview, and download a clean PDF in seconds. Free, private and built for every device.
Convert Word now