FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Is this really free?

Yes! PDFormat is completely free to use with no hidden costs, subscriptions, or premium tiers. We believe document conversion should be accessible to everyone. To keep the service running, we display ads, but all features remain 100% free forever.

Are my files secure and private?

Absolutely! All conversions happen entirely in your web browser using JavaScript. Your files never leave your computer or get uploaded to our servers. This client-side processing ensures complete privacy—we literally cannot see your files because they never reach us. Your documents stay on your device from start to finish.

What file formats do you support?

Currently we support JPG and PNG image formats for conversion to/from PDF. Our PDF tools include compress, merge, split, rotate, delete pages, extract images, and password protection. We're actively developing Word to PDF, PowerPoint to PDF, and PDF translation features which will be added soon!

Is there a file size limit?

The maximum file size is 50MB per file. This limit exists because processing happens in your browser's memory. Larger files may take longer to process depending on your device's capabilities. If you need to work with larger files, try compressing them first or splitting them into smaller sections.

Do I need to install any software?

No installation required! PDFormat works entirely in your web browser. Simply visit the website and start converting. It works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. No downloads, no plugins, no hassle.

Can I convert multiple files at once?

Yes, for certain operations! When merging PDFs, you can select and combine multiple files simultaneously. For other conversions like JPG to PDF or PDF compression, files are processed one at a time to ensure optimal quality and performance.

How does client-side conversion work?

Client-side conversion uses JavaScript libraries like PDF.js, jsPDF, and pdf-lib that run directly in your browser. When you select a file, it's loaded into your browser's memory (RAM) where all processing occurs. The converted file is then saved back to your device. The entire process happens on your computer without any server communication.

What's the difference between this and other PDF converters?

Most online PDF converters require you to upload files to their servers, which creates privacy risks and slower processing times. PDFormat processes everything locally in your browser, which means faster conversions, complete privacy, and no dependency on server uptime or internet speed after the initial page load.

Can I use this offline?

Partially yes! After loading the page once, the conversion tools are cached in your browser. You'll need internet to initially load the page, but once loaded, you can perform conversions even if your connection drops. Just don't refresh the page or close your browser.

Why should I trust PDFormat with sensitive documents?

You don't have to trust us—that's the beauty of client-side processing! Since your files never leave your device, there's nothing for us to mishandle. You can verify this yourself by opening your browser's Developer Tools and monitoring network activity. You'll see that no file data is transmitted to any server.

What quality can I expect from conversions?

PDFormat maintains the highest quality possible for each conversion type. For image to PDF conversions, your original image quality is preserved. For PDF compression, you can choose different quality levels to balance file size against visual fidelity. Our tools use industry-standard libraries trusted by millions of users worldwide.

Does this work on mobile devices?

Yes! PDFormat works on smartphones and tablets using modern mobile browsers like Chrome Mobile, Safari iOS, and Firefox Mobile. However, very large files may encounter memory limitations on mobile devices. For best performance with large files, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer.

Can I use PDFormat for commercial purposes?

Absolutely! PDFormat is free for both personal and commercial use. Whether you're converting documents for business, work, school, or personal projects, you're welcome to use our tools without any restrictions or licensing fees.

How do you make money if it's free?

PDFormat is supported by displaying ads on the site. This allows us to keep all features completely free while covering the costs of hosting, development, and maintenance. We never charge for features, sell your data, or require subscriptions.

What browsers are supported?

PDFormat works on all modern web browsers: Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, and Microsoft Edge 90+. We recommend keeping your browser updated to the latest version for the best performance and security. Internet Explorer is not supported as it lacks modern JavaScript capabilities.

Can I batch convert hundreds of files?

Currently, batch processing is limited to merging multiple PDFs into one file. For converting many individual files (like 100 JPGs to 100 PDFs), you'll need to process them one at a time or use desktop software designed for bulk operations. We're exploring batch conversion features for future updates.

What if my conversion fails or produces errors?

Conversion failures are rare but can occur with corrupted files, unsupported file variants, or files that exceed browser memory limits. Try reducing the file size, ensuring the file isn't corrupted, or using a different browser. If problems persist, you can contact us through our social media channels for assistance.

Do you store any information about my conversions?

No. Since all processing happens in your browser, we have no access to your files or information about what you're converting. We use standard website analytics (Google Analytics) to track page visits and understand how users interact with the site, but this doesn't include any file data or content information.

Frequently Asked Questions