How to Convert a Word Document to PDF (Any Device)
Save a .docx as a PDF in Word, Google Docs or Pages, or convert it in your browser when you don’t have Word — on a phone, Chromebook or shared PC.
3 min read ·
If you have Microsoft Word, the best way to turn a document into a PDF is built in: File › Save As (or Export) and choose PDF. When you don't have Word — on a phone, a Chromebook, a library computer or a laptop without Office — open the Universal Document Converter, choose Word to PDF, and add the .docx. It converts in your browser, so the document isn't uploaded.
Convert in your browser (no Word needed)
- Open the Universal Document Converter. Office to PDF is selected.
- Click Word to PDF (.docx) and add your document.
- Click Convert, then Download the PDF.
The converter lays out headings, paragraphs, lists, tables and images on A4 pages, and breaks pages between paragraphs rather than through a line of text.
Good to know: the pages in this PDF are images of your document, so the text can't be selected, copied or searched. That's fine for printing, sending a letter or uploading a form, but if the recipient needs to copy text or a screen reader must read it, use one of the methods below.
Save as PDF in Microsoft Word
Windows: File › Save As › choose a folder › set Save as type to PDF › Save. Under Options you can choose a page range or include bookmarks from your headings.
Mac: File › Save As › File Format: PDF, or File › Print › PDF › Save as PDF.
Word on the web: File › Download as PDF.
Word's own conversion keeps text selectable and searchable, preserves links and creates bookmarks from headings — the best result for reports, CVs and anything shared digitally.
Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice
- Google Docs: open the .docx in Google Drive (it opens in Docs), then File › Download › PDF Document.
- Pages on Mac or iPhone: open the .docx, then File › Export To › PDF (on iPhone: the ⋯ menu › Export › PDF).
- LibreOffice Writer: File › Export as PDF. It's free on Windows, Mac and Linux.
All of these produce PDFs with real, selectable text. Layouts can shift slightly when a .docx is opened in a program other than Word, so check page breaks and tables before sending.
On a phone
On an iPhone or Android phone without the Word app, the browser converter is the quickest route: find the .docx in your Files app or email, add it to the converter, and download the PDF. With the free Word app installed, open the document and use Share › PDF or Save as › PDF depending on the version.
After converting
- Several documents to send as one? Combine the PDFs with the PDF Merger.
- Too big for an email or upload form? Shrink it with Compress PDF.
- Confidential? Add a password with Protect PDF before you send it, and share the password separately.
Why convert to PDF at all?
A .docx looks different depending on the program and fonts on the reader's computer; a PDF looks the same everywhere and prints exactly as you saw it. That's why CVs, invoices and applications are usually expected as PDFs — and why many upload forms reject Word files outright.
Frequently asked questions
Will my fonts survive?
In Word's own export, yes — fonts are embedded. In the browser converter, the document is drawn with fonts available in your browser, so unusual fonts may be replaced by similar ones; check the result.
Can I convert .doc (old Word format)?
The browser converter reads .docx. Open an old .doc in Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice and save it as .docx or PDF from there.
Is it free?
Yes — the browser converter, Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice are all free.