How to Convert DOCX to PDF for Free (Any Device)

A PDF looks the same on every phone, tablet and computer. That makes it the best format for CVs, invoices, forms and anything you want to share without it being changed. If you have a Word file, turning it into a PDF is free and takes less than a minute.

This guide shows five free ways to convert DOCX to PDF, on any device. None of them needs paid software, and two of them don’t upload your file anywhere.

Why convert a DOCX file to PDF?

It looks the same everywhere. Fonts, spacing and page breaks stay fixed.
Anyone can open it. Every phone and computer can read PDFs without extra apps.
It’s harder to change by accident. People can read it but not easily edit it.
It’s better for printing. What you see is what prints.
It’s what many forms ask for. Job sites, schools and offices often want PDFs.

Keep the DOCX file too. If you need to make changes later, edit the Word file and make a new PDF. For the pros and cons of each, see our guide to DOCX files.

Quick answer

Method	Free	Upload	Works on
OpenDocxFile viewer + Save as PDF	Yes	No	Any device
Microsoft Word	Paid app	No	Windows, Mac
Google Docs	Yes	Yes	Any device
LibreOffice	Yes	No	Windows, Mac, Linux
Apple Pages	Yes	No	Mac, iPhone, iPad

Method 1: Use our free viewer and save as PDF

This is the fastest way that doesn’t upload your file. It works on phones and computers.

Go to opendocxfile.com.
Click Choose file and pick your DOCX file.
When it opens, click Print / PDF in the toolbar.
In the print window, choose Save as PDF as the printer.
Click Save and pick where to keep the file.

The name of the PDF option depends on your device:

Chrome and Edge: pick Save as PDF in the Destination list.
Windows: you can also pick Microsoft Print to PDF.
Mac: click the PDF button at the bottom left and choose Save as PDF.
iPhone: in the print preview, pinch outwards on the page, then tap share and Save to Files.
Android: pick Save as PDF at the top of the print screen, then tap the PDF button.

Your document never leaves your device. The browser reads it and creates the PDF locally.

Method 2: Convert DOCX to PDF in Microsoft Word

If you have Word, it makes the most accurate PDFs.

Open the DOCX file in Word.
Click File, then Save As.
Choose a folder.
In the file type list, pick PDF (*.pdf).
Click Save.

You can also use File, Export, Create PDF/XPS. On a Mac, use File, Save As, and pick PDF in the File Format list.

Word also has an Options button on Windows. It lets you save only some pages, or include headings as PDF bookmarks, which helps with long documents.

Method 3: Convert DOCX to PDF with Google Docs

Upload the DOCX file to Google Drive.
Open it with Google Docs.
Click File, then Download, then PDF document (.pdf).

The PDF downloads to your device. On a phone, open the file in the Docs app, tap the three dots, then Share and export, then Send a copy, and pick PDF.

Remember that Google Docs keeps a copy in your Drive. For more, see how to open a DOCX file in Google Docs.

Method 4: Convert DOCX to PDF with LibreOffice

Open the DOCX file in LibreOffice Writer.
Click File, then Export as PDF.
Check the options, then click Export.
Choose a name and location, and click Save.

LibreOffice has lots of PDF options, like picture quality and password protection. The defaults are fine for most people. There’s also an Export Directly as PDF button in the toolbar that skips the options.

Method 5: Convert DOCX to PDF with Apple Pages

Open the DOCX file in Pages.
Click File, then Export To, then PDF.
Choose the image quality and click Next.
Name the file and click Export.

On iPhone or iPad, tap the three dots, then Export, then PDF.

What about online converter websites?

There are many sites that convert DOCX to PDF. They’re easy, but most upload your file to their server. Some keep files for hours. Some add watermarks or limit how many files you can convert.

For private files like CVs, contracts or medical letters, use a method that doesn’t upload anything. Method 1 and the desktop apps are all good choices.

Tips for a better PDF

Check page breaks first. Open the file in our viewer and scroll through to spot awkward breaks before you save.
Use standard fonts. Unusual fonts may be swapped if the device making the PDF doesn’t have them.
Name the PDF clearly. Something like Anna-Khan-CV-2026.pdf looks more professional than document1.pdf.
Keep the file small. Big photos make big PDFs. Shrink photos in Word before converting if the file is going by email.
Open the PDF afterwards. Check every page looks right before you send it.

Troubleshooting

The PDF has blank pages

Your Word file probably has empty paragraphs or page breaks at the end. Delete them and convert again.

The fonts look different in the PDF

The device that made the PDF didn’t have the font. Convert on a device that has it, or pick a common font like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman.

The DOCX file won’t open to convert

Fix that first. See why won’t my DOCX file open.

I only have an old DOC file

All the apps above can open DOC files too, except our viewer. Or convert it first: how to convert DOC to DOCX.

How to convert PDF back to DOCX

Going the other way is harder, because PDFs don’t store text the same way. Word can open many PDFs and turn them into editable documents. Google Docs can too, if you open the PDF with Google Docs from Drive. Expect some layout changes, especially with tables and columns. That’s why it’s smart to always keep your original DOCX file.

DOCX vs PDF: which should you send?

Not sure whether to send the Word file or the PDF? Use this simple rule.

Send a DOCX when	Send a PDF when
The other person needs to edit it	They only need to read or print it
You’re working on it together	It’s a final version
A form asks for a Word document	A form asks for a PDF, or doesn’t say
They’ll copy text into another system	The layout must stay exactly the same

For job applications, check the job ad. Many hiring systems read both, but some prefer DOCX because they pull details out of it automatically. If the ad doesn’t say, a PDF is usually a safe choice.

How to convert many DOCX files to PDF at once

If you have a folder of Word files, converting them one at a time is slow.

LibreOffice: use File, Wizards, Document Converter, or run soffice --headless --convert-to pdf *.docx in the folder.
Word on Windows: there’s no built-in batch button, but you can select several files in File Explorer, right-click, and choose Print if Word is your default app. Pick Microsoft Print to PDF when asked.

Always open a few of the new PDFs to check them before deleting anything.

Making your PDF easy to read on phones

Most people now open PDFs on a phone. A few small choices in your Word file help a lot: use a clear font at 11 or 12 points, keep margins normal, avoid very wide tables, and use headings so readers can find their way. A PDF made from a tidy Word file is easier to read on any screen.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert DOCX to PDF for free?

Open the file in our online viewer, click Print / PDF, and choose Save as PDF. Google Docs, LibreOffice and Pages also do it for free.

Can I convert DOCX to PDF on my phone?

Yes. Use our viewer in your phone’s browser, or the Google Docs, Pages or Word app.

Will the PDF look exactly like my Word file?

Very close. Word gives the most exact result. Other tools may change fonts slightly if they’re not available.

Can I convert DOCX to PDF without uploading it?

Yes. Use our viewer, Word, LibreOffice or Pages. None of them upload your file.

Can I password protect the PDF?

Yes, with LibreOffice’s PDF options or Word’s Options button when saving. Free browser methods don’t add passwords.