How to Convert Files to PDF for Free (Word, Images, Web Pages) in 2026

Need to convert to PDF free? In 2005 we recommended PDF Online, a service that emailed you a PDF a few minutes after you uploaded a file of up to 2 MB. Today you rarely need to upload anything: Windows, macOS, phones, Microsoft Office and Google Docs can all save straight to PDF. For the odd file they can’t handle, free online converters do the job in seconds.

Quick answer: The fastest way to convert to PDF free is to use what you already have: in Word, Excel or PowerPoint choose File, then Save As or Export, then PDF; in Google Docs choose File, Download, PDF; for anything you can print, pick “Microsoft Print to PDF” on Windows or “Save as PDF” on Mac and in Chrome. For other formats, use a free online tool such as Adobe’s online converter, PDF24 Tools or iLovePDF, but avoid uploading private documents.

Method 1: Save as PDF in Microsoft Office

1. Word or Excel: go to File, then Save As (or Save a Copy), choose PDF as the file type and click Save.
2. PowerPoint: go to File, then Export, choose PDF and click Save.
3. Use the Options button to pick a page range or include comments.

Microsoft’s help page on saving or converting to PDF covers Mac and older versions. Want to lock the original file too? See how to password protect a Word document.

Method 2: Google Docs, Sheets and Slides

Open the file and choose File, Download, PDF document (.pdf). This also works for Word files you upload to Google Drive, so it’s a free way to convert a .docx to PDF without Office.

Method 3: Print to PDF from any app

If you can print it, you can turn it into a PDF:

• Windows 10 and 11: press Ctrl+P and choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
• Mac: press Cmd+P, click the PDF menu at the bottom of the print dialog and choose Save as PDF.
• Chrome, Edge and other browsers: press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) and set the destination to Save as PDF. Perfect for receipts, tickets and web articles.
• Android: open the Share or menu option, choose Print, then select Save as PDF.

Method 4: Free online PDF converters

For images, odd formats or when you’re on someone else’s computer, these free tools convert files to PDF in your browser:

• Adobe Acrobat online converter: converts Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text and images (including HEIC) to PDF. Free for limited use; Adobe may ask you to sign in.
• PDF24 Tools: free, ad-supported browser tools, plus PDF24 Creator, a free Windows app that works offline so files stay on your PC.
• iLovePDF: free tools for JPG, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and HTML to PDF, with paid Premium extras.
• LibreOffice: a free office suite for Windows, Mac and Linux that opens almost any document and exports it to PDF, without uploading anything.

Need to convert between other formats, such as images, audio or video? See our roundup of the best free online file converters.

Is it safe to use online PDF converters?

• Don’t upload contracts, ID documents, bank statements or medical records to a website. Use Office, Print to PDF, LibreOffice or the offline PDF24 Creator instead.
• Check that the site uses HTTPS and says when uploaded files are deleted.
• Avoid “converters” that ask you to install browser extensions or download unknown programs.

Viewing and editing your PDF

Every modern browser opens PDFs, and Windows and Mac have built-in viewers. If you want a dedicated app, see our guide to Foxit PDF Reader and its alternatives.

What changed since 2005

Our 2005 post covered PDF Online, which accepted DOC, XLS, PPT, RTF, TXT, HTML and image files up to 2 MB and emailed back a PDF. Back then, creating PDFs usually meant paid Adobe software. Since then PDF became an open ISO standard, Office added Save as PDF, Windows gained Microsoft Print to PDF, and browsers and phones can create PDFs on their own. PDF Online is now part of the PDFTron family and focuses on PDF-to-Word conversion and paid software.

FAQ

How do I convert a Word document to PDF for free?

In Word, use File, Save As, PDF. Without Word, upload it to Google Drive and download it from Google Docs as PDF, or open it in LibreOffice and export as PDF.

How do I convert a JPG or photo to PDF?

Open the image and print it to “Microsoft Print to PDF” (Windows) or “Save as PDF” (Mac), or use the JPG to PDF tool in iLovePDF or PDF24.

How do I save a web page as a PDF?

Press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) in your browser and choose Save as PDF as the destination.

Can I convert to PDF on my phone?

Yes. On Android, use Print and choose Save as PDF. Google Docs and Microsoft Word mobile apps can also export PDFs.

Is there a file size limit?

Built-in methods have no practical limit. Online converters set their own limits, which vary by site and plan.