AI to PDF Converter
Save an Illustrator .ai file as a PDF that anyone can open, after checking every artboard.
- Exact vector PDF
- All artboards
- Compatibility check
- No upload
Drop a Illustrator .ai file here. PSD, PSB and AI all work.
Converting AI to PDF
Modern .ai files already contain a complete PDF of the artwork; Illustrator adds its own editing data on top. Converting to PDF therefore means saving that PDF content with a .pdf extension, which keeps the vectors, fonts and colours exactly as designed with no quality loss. This converter checks the file first, shows each artboard so you can confirm it, and saves the PDF. Files saved without PDF compatibility are detected and explained.
How to convert AI to PDF
- Open the .ai file.
- Check each artboard in the preview.
- Click Save as PDF.
- Share or print the PDF.
Good to know about AI files
- If a file shows “This is an Adobe Illustrator file that was saved without PDF Content”, it was saved with PDF compatibility switched off; re-save it from Illustrator.
- Fonts are embedded in the PDF content, so text displays even if you do not have the fonts.
- Export at 300 DPI for print and 72–150 DPI for screens.
- Layers in Illustrator are flattened in the PDF content and cannot be toggled.
Why use this AI to PDF converter
- No quality lossThe vector PDF inside the .ai is saved as is: no rasterising, no re-compression.
- Checked firstEvery artboard is previewed, and incompatible files are flagged before you save.
- Images tooExport PNG or JPG at 72–300 DPI if you need images as well.
- Your designs stay privateFiles are opened in your browser and never uploaded, so client artwork and unreleased designs stay on your computer.
Common uses
- Logo files. Open a logo from a designer or brand pack without Illustrator.
- Print checks. Confirm artboard sizes before sending to a printer.
- Web images. Export PNGs of artwork for a website or slides.
- Sharing. Turn an .ai into a PDF anyone can open.
More design tools: the SVG viewer, PNG to ICO converter, image resizer and EXIF viewer.
Example: sending artwork to a printer
Open brand-artwork.ai, check both artboards, then Save as PDF: the printer receives a vector PDF with both pages at 8.5 × 5.5 in.
What to expect from the result
Only PDF-compatible .ai files can be rendered. Illustrator layers, editable text and effects are not available separately. Very complex artwork may render slowly on phones.
AI to PDF Converter questions
How do I convert AI to PDF without Illustrator?
Open the .ai file here and click Save as PDF. The PDF content inside the file is saved directly.
Is the PDF vector?
Yes. It is the same vector PDF Illustrator embedded in the file, so it scales and prints sharply.
Can the PDF be edited in Illustrator?
It can be opened in Illustrator as a PDF, but Illustrator-specific editing data is not included.
Which .ai files can be opened?
Files saved with “Create PDF Compatible File” ticked, the default since Illustrator CS. Old PostScript-based .ai files (Illustrator 8 and earlier) are detected and explained, but cannot be rendered in a browser.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The file is read and rendered in your browser on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server.