How to Convert Word to PDF for Free: 4 Quick Methods

Converting Word to PDF is built into Word itself — no extra software needed. Go to File → Save As, choose PDF from the format dropdown, and click Save. That is the fastest method, and it preserves formatting, fonts, and images exactly as they appear in your document.

But Save As is not the only option, and it does not always produce the best result. Here are four methods with tips on keeping hyperlinks active and formatting intact.

Method 1 — Save As PDF in Word (Fastest)

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Go to File → Save As (or File → Export → Create PDF/XPS).
3. Select PDF from the "Save as type" dropdown.
4. Click Options to configure settings (see hyperlink tip below).
5. Click Save.

This method works in Word 2010 and later on both Windows and Mac.

Method 2 — Print to PDF (Works in Any App)

Every modern operating system includes a "Print to PDF" printer. This works not only with Word but with any application that can print.

1. Open your document and press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac).
2. Select Microsoft Print to PDF (Windows) or Save as PDF (Mac) as the printer.
3. Click Print and choose where to save.

Note: Print to PDF treats the document as a printed page, so hyperlinks become plain text — they look like links but are not clickable. Use Method 1 if you need active links.

Method 3 — Online Converter

If you do not have Word installed, online converters can handle the conversion. Upload your .docx file to a Word-to-PDF converter, and download the result.

Best for: Users without Microsoft Word or LibreOffice installed.
Limitation: File is uploaded to a server. For sensitive documents, use a local method.

Method 4 — Google Docs Export

1. Upload your .docx to Google Drive.
2. Open it in Google Docs.
3. Go to File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf).

Best for: Users already in the Google ecosystem.
Limitation: Google Docs may slightly change formatting, fonts, or spacing compared to the original Word file.

How to Keep Hyperlinks Active When Saving as PDF?

This is the most commonly missed step. When you use Save As PDF in Word, click the Options button and check "Create bookmarks using: Headings". This preserves the document’s internal navigation. Hyperlinks to external URLs are preserved automatically with Save As, but not with Print to PDF.

If your PDF will be read on screen (not printed), always use Save As instead of Print to PDF to keep links clickable.

When Should You Use PDF vs Word Format?

Use PDF when you want the recipient to see exactly what you see — same fonts, same layout, same page breaks, regardless of their device or software. Use Word when you need the recipient to edit the content. For a deeper comparison of the two formats, see PDF vs Word: when to use which.

For the differences between DOC and DOCX file types, check the DOC vs DOCX comparison.

Need the Reverse? Convert PDF Back to Word

If you received a PDF and need to edit it in Word, the process works in the other direction too. Use PDFtoWord for the best formatting accuracy, or follow the complete PDF to Word conversion guide for step-by-step instructions.