PDF guide
How to Convert a Word Document to PDF
Updated 28 September 2026 · 3 min read
A PDF looks the same on every device and can't be accidentally edited, which is why CVs, invoices and forms are usually sent that way. There are several free ways to turn a Word document into one. The right choice depends on whether you have Word installed and how complex your layout is.
Open the free Word to PDF1. In Microsoft Word (keeps the exact layout)
If you have Word, this gives the most faithful result — fonts, images, headers and page breaks included. On Windows choose File → Save As (or Export) and pick PDF. On a Mac choose File → Save As and set the format to PDF, or File → Print → Save as PDF.
2. In Google Docs
Upload the .docx to Google Drive, open it with Google Docs, then choose File → Download → PDF document. Complex Word layouts can shift slightly when Google Docs opens them, so check the result.
3. On a Mac without Word
Open the document in Pages and choose File → Export To → PDF.
4. In your browser, with nothing installed
The Word to PDF converter turns a .docx into a PDF right in your browser, so the document never leaves your device. It converts the text, headings, bold and italic, bullet lists and simple tables into a clean, simplified layout. It's ideal for quickly sharing a text document from a computer without Word; for a designed layout that has to look exactly like the original, use Word's own export.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Exact layout | Needs installing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Yes | Word | Anything, especially designed documents |
| Google Docs | Usually | No (Google account) | When you don't have Word |
| Pages (Mac) | Usually | Comes with Mac | Mac users without Word |
| KitWren Word to PDF | Simplified | No | Quick, private conversion of text documents |
Before you convert: a quick checklist
- Accept or hide tracked changes and comments. If they're showing in Word, they can appear in the PDF.
- Use Word's heading styles rather than just bold text. Word can turn them into PDF bookmarks, and screen readers use them to navigate.
- Update fields such as the table of contents and page numbers.
- Check the file name. It's what the recipient sees first — "Jane-Smith-CV.pdf" beats "Document1.pdf".
After converting
- Too big to email? Shrink it with the PDF Compressor — see how to compress a PDF for email.
- Several documents to send together? Combine them with Merge PDF.
- Need to edit it again? Keep the original .docx. If you only have the PDF, PDF to Word can turn it back into an editable document.