How to Convert Word to PDF for Free — 5 Methods

Converting a Word document (DOCX or DOC) to PDF is one of the most common file conversion tasks. Whether you are submitting a resume, sending a contract to a client, sharing a report with colleagues, or submitting an assignment, a PDF ensures your document looks exactly the same on every device.

The best part? You do not need to buy any software or sign up for any service. There are at least five completely free ways to convert Word to PDF, and most of them are already built into the tools you already own.

In this guide, we will walk through all five methods step by step, compare their pros and cons, and help you choose the right one for your situation.

Why Convert Word to PDF?

Before we get into the methods, here is why PDF is usually the right format for sharing finished documents:

• Formatting is fixed. A Word document can look different depending on the version of Word, the fonts installed, and the operating system. A PDF renders identically on every device — what you see is what the recipient gets.
• Anyone can open it. PDF readers are free and available on every platform. The recipient does not need Microsoft Office or any specific word processor.
• Harder to edit accidentally. A PDF is a finished document. The recipient cannot accidentally change text, move images, or alter formatting. This is critical for contracts, invoices, and formal submissions.
• More professional. PDF files look more polished than editable Word files. They are the standard format for business and academic communication.
• Smaller file size. PDFs are often smaller than the equivalent Word document, especially if the DOCX contains embedded images or formatting data.

Method 1: Save As PDF in Microsoft Word (Windows and Mac)

This is the best method if you already have Microsoft Word installed. It preserves formatting perfectly, produces the smallest file size, and takes about 10 seconds.

Windows:

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Click File in the top-left corner.
3. Click Save As (or "Save a Copy" in newer versions).
4. In the "Save as type" dropdown, select PDF.
5. Choose a location and filename.
6. Click Save.

Mac:

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Click File in the menu bar.
3. Click Save As.
4. In the "File Format" dropdown, select PDF.
5. Click Export.

Standard vs. Minimum size: Word asks whether you want "Standard" (suitable for publishing and printing — preserves high-resolution images) or "Minimum" (smaller file size, suitable for screen viewing). For most purposes, choose Standard. Use Minimum only if file size is a priority and you are not sending to a printer.

Method 2: Print to PDF (Works in Any Program)

This method works with absolutely any program that has a Print function — Word, Google Docs, web browsers, note-taking apps, and more. It does not require Word at all.

Windows:

1. Open your document in any program.
2. Press Ctrl + P to open the Print dialog.
3. In the printer selection dropdown, choose Microsoft Print to PDF.
4. Click Print (it will not print on paper — it will ask where to save the PDF).
5. Choose a location and filename, then click Save.

Mac:

1. Open your document in any program.
2. Press Cmd + P to open the Print dialog.
3. Click the PDF button in the bottom-left corner.
4. Select Save as PDF.
5. Choose a location and filename, then click Save.

The Print to PDF method is a great fallback because it works everywhere, but the output is technically a "printout" — hyperlinks may not remain clickable, and the file may be slightly larger than a native PDF export.

Method 3: Google Docs (Free, No Software Required)

If you do not have Microsoft Word, Google Docs is the best free alternative. It is entirely web-based and runs in your browser.

1. Go to Google Drive and sign in with a Google account (free to create).
2. Click New > File upload and select your DOCX or DOC file.
3. Once uploaded, right-click the file and select Open with > Google Docs.
4. The document opens in the Google Docs editor. Check that the formatting looks correct (complex layouts may shift slightly).
5. Click File > Download > PDF Document (.pdf).
6. The PDF downloads to your computer automatically.

Google Docs handles most Word documents well, but formatting can break for documents with complex tables, custom fonts, or intricate image layouts. Always review the converted PDF before sending it.

Method 4: LibreOffice (Free Desktop Software)

LibreOffice is a completely free, open-source office suite that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It includes a word processor called Writer that opens DOCX files and exports them to PDF.

1. Download and install LibreOffice (free, no registration).
2. Open LibreOffice Writer.
3. Click File > Open and select your Word document.
4. Review the document. LibreOffice does a good job with standard formatting but may struggle with very complex documents.
5. Click File > Export As > Export as PDF.
6. In the PDF options dialog, choose your settings (standard settings work for most users).
7. Click Export and choose where to save the file.

LibreOffice is an excellent option if you convert Word to PDF frequently and prefer a desktop application that works offline.

Method 5: Online Converters

If you are on someone else's computer, using a public library machine, or cannot install software, an online converter can help. However, be cautious — many online converter sites upload your document to a third-party server, which may not be secure for sensitive documents.

If you choose this route, look for tools that process files in the browser (client-side) without uploading to a server. Our site does not currently offer DOCX to PDF conversion, but after you have created your PDF, we can help you work with it further using our PDF tools.

Which Method Preserves Formatting Best?

Method 1 (Save As PDF in Word) produces the most accurate PDF because Microsoft Word knows its own file format best. This method preserves:

• Fonts and font sizes
• Margins, spacing, and indentation
• Headers and footers
• Page numbers
• Tables and columns
• Images and their placement
• Hyperlinks (clickable in the PDF)
• Bookmarks (table of contents)

Method 2 (Print to PDF) comes second. It preserves layout well but may lose hyperlinks. Methods 3 and 4 are good alternatives but may have minor formatting differences depending on the complexity of your document.

File Size Comparison

Different conversion methods produce different file sizes. In general:

• Word Save As PDF (Standard) produces the smallest, most optimized file.
• Word Save As PDF (Minimum) is even smaller, suitable for email.
• Print to PDF tends to produce larger files because it embeds everything as a print image.
• Google Docs produces files comparable to Word's Standard export.
• LibreOffice produces files slightly larger than Word but still reasonable.

If your converted PDF is still too large, use our PDF Compressor to reduce the file size further.

What Gets Lost in Conversion?

No conversion method is perfect. Here is what you might lose when converting Word to PDF:

• Comments and tracked changes — Some methods hide or strip comments. In Word's Save As, you can choose to include or exclude comments.
• Custom fonts — If the recipient does not have the font you used, Word substitutes a different font. PDF embeds font information more reliably.
• Embedded video or audio — These do not survive the conversion to PDF.
• Form fields — Word forms with fillable fields may not remain fillable in the PDF unless you use specialized PDF software.
• Some animations and transitions — These are Word-specific features and do not exist in PDF.

What If You Need to Edit After Converting?

PDFs are not designed for easy editing. If you need to make changes after converting, keep the original Word document and edit that, then convert again. If you have lost the original and only have the PDF, you can try PDF-to-Word converters, but the results are often imperfect, especially with complex layouts.

Once you have your PDF, you may need to work with it further. Our tools can help: Merge PDF to combine multiple documents, PDF Compressor to reduce file size, and Split PDF to extract specific pages.