A free PDF accessibility checker for PDF/UA and WCAG
An accessible PDF can be read by everyone — including people who use screen readers, magnifiers, braille displays or keyboard navigation. That only works when the file carries the right structure behind the visible page: tags that say what is a heading or a table, a document language, descriptions for images, and real text rather than pictures of text. This PDF accessibility checker opens your PDF in the browser and tests those things automatically.
It runs 17 checks aligned with PDF/UA-1 (ISO 14289-1), the international standard for accessible PDF, and the WCAG 2.2 success criteria that apply to documents. Each check gets a clear Pass, Warning or Fail, an explanation in plain English and step-by-step fixes for Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Adobe Acrobat. Download the report as HTML or text to share it.
Automated checks cover only part of accessibility: a tool can confirm that an image has alternative text, but not that the text is meaningful. Use this report to fix the mechanical problems fast, then review the document by hand. It is not a certification.
How to check a PDF for accessibility
- Drop your PDF onto the upload area or click to choose it. The checks run in your browser in a few seconds.
- Read the score and the verdict at the top, then work down the list — failures and warnings are expanded automatically.
- Open any check to see what was found, on which pages, and how to fix it in Word, Google Docs or Acrobat.
- Switch to Problems only to focus on what needs work.
- Download the report as HTML or text, fix the source document and check the new PDF again.
PDF Accessibility Checker features
Structure tree analysis
Walks the tag tree with role maps resolved: headings, figures, tables, links and form elements.
Reading order hint
Compares the order of the tags with the order content is drawn on the page, and finds text and images that are neither tagged nor marked as artifacts.
Fonts and text
Checks that fonts are embedded and map to Unicode, and finds scanned pages that are only images.
Forms, links and tab order
Tooltips on form fields, descriptions and tags on links, and /Tabs set to follow the structure on every page with annotations.
Fixes for real tools
Each problem comes with steps for Word, Google Docs and Acrobat Pro.
Private
The PDF is analysed on your device and never uploaded.
What the checks cover — and what they can’t
For a complete PDF/UA validation, a dedicated validator such as the open-source veraPDF tests the full machine-checkable rule set, and the PDF Association’s Matterhorn Protocol lists every requirement including those that need human judgement. A short test with a free screen reader such as NVDA or VoiceOver reveals problems no checker can see.
| Checked automatically | Needs a human |
|---|---|
| The PDF is tagged and marked as tagged | Tags match the meaning of the content |
| A document language and title are set | Passages in other languages are tagged with their language |
| Figures have alternative text | The alternative text actually describes the image |
| Tables have header cells | Headers are associated correctly in complex tables |
| Tag order follows drawing order; nothing untagged | The reading order is logical for a listener |
| Fonts embedded and Unicode-mapped; no image-only pages | Colour contrast, use of colour, clear language |
Why PDF accessibility matters now
In the European Union, the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) has applied since 28 June 2025 to many consumer products and services — including e-commerce, banking, e-books and passenger transport — and the documents that come with them. Its harmonised standard, EN 301 549, builds on WCAG. Public-sector bodies in the EU were already covered by the Web Accessibility Directive.
In the United States, federal agencies must meet Section 508, whose standards incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level AA and apply to electronic documents such as PDFs; under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a 2024 rule adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA for the web content and documents of state and local governments, and the ADA is regularly cited in claims against inaccessible business websites. In India, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 requires accessible information and communication technology, and government websites and their documents follow GIGW 3.0, which is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA. This is general information, not legal advice.
Fixing the most common problems
- Start at the source. It is far easier to export a tagged PDF from a well-structured Word or Google Docs file — real headings, alt text, table header rows — than to repair tags in Acrobat afterwards.
- Scanned documents first need real text: run Make PDF Searchable or OCR in Acrobat, then tag the result.
- Missing title? Add it with the PDF Metadata Editor; long documents also benefit from bookmarks, which the PDF Bookmark Editor can add.
- Colour contrast can’t be measured from the file reliably — test your text and background colours with the Contrast Checker.
- Damaged files are worth a check with the PDF Validator first.
PDF Accessibility Checker FAQ
How do I check if a PDF is accessible?
Open it in this PDF accessibility checker. In a few seconds you get Pass, Warning or Fail on 17 checks, from tags and language to alt text, tables and forms, with fixes for each problem. Then review it by hand or with a screen reader.
Is this a PDF/UA validator?
It performs automated checks aligned with PDF/UA-1, but not every machine-checkable rule of the standard, and it can’t judge things that need a human. Use it to find and fix the common problems quickly; for formal conformance use a full validator such as veraPDF plus a manual review.
Does a score of 100 mean my PDF is accessible?
No. It means every automated check passed. Alternative text may still be unhelpful, the reading order may still be confusing and colours may lack contrast. Treat 100 as the point where manual review starts.
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to PDFs?
Since 28 June 2025 it applies to many consumer products and services in the EU, and documents that are part of those services, such as contracts and statements, are expected to be accessible. Ask a legal adviser which documents are in scope.
Why does my PDF from Word fail the tagged check?
Word only writes tags when “Document structure tags for accessibility” is ticked in the PDF options (Windows) or when you choose “Best for electronic distribution and accessibility” (Mac). Printing to a PDF printer never produces tags.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The file is analysed by JavaScript in your browser, and the report is generated on your device.