OnlinePDFs

Free PDF accessibility scan

Is your PDF locking people out?

Run free automated WCAG 2.1 AA and PDF/UA checks in seconds. We fix what machines can reliably fix — and show you exactly what needs a human.

Your file is sent only to the scan service for analysis and deleted within 24 hours.

Our only claim: a fixed file passes automated checks, with the rest listed for your review. What "verified" means

  • Free scan
  • No account needed
  • Files deleted within 24 hours

This is what you'll get

A real scan report from our own test file — every finding explained in plain language, plus a clear list of what needs a human eye.

Scan report

tagged-sample.pdf · 2 pages · veraPDF 1.30.3 · PDF/UA-1

  • 11Errors
  • 0Warnings
  • 0Notices
  • 401Checks passed
  • 4Need human review
See the full sample report

Machine-check findings — top 3 of 11

Issues found by automated WCAG 2.1 AA and PDF/UA machine checks.

  • Error Missing document metadata
    PDF/UA-1 7.1 (test 8)

    The document catalog has no Metadata key — the XMP metadata stream is missing or incomplete.

  • Error Fonts not embedded Page 1
    PDF/UA-1 7.21.4.1 (test 1)

    The font programs for Helvetica-Bold and Helvetica are not embedded in the file.

  • Error Window title not shown
    PDF/UA-1 7.1 (test 10)

    No ViewerPreferences dictionary, or the DisplayDocTitle key is missing or false — screen readers and PDF viewers may not show the document title.

Needs human review — 4 items

Automated checks can't judge these. A person must look at each one.

  • Needs human review Alt-text quality and meaningfulness

    This file has 1 image with alt text. Automated checks verify only that alt text exists — a human must judge whether it accurately and meaningfully describes the image in context.

  • Needs human review True reading order

    Structure tags declare a reading order, but only a human can verify it matches the visual order — especially for multi-column layouts, sidebars, and callout boxes.

  • Needs human review Table header semantics

    If this document contains tables, a human must verify header cells are correctly associated with their data cells — no automated check can fully determine this.

  • Needs human review Colour contrast

    Automated structural checks do not evaluate text/background colour contrast against WCAG 1.4.3 — verify contrast ratios manually.

Run this scan on your own PDF — it's free

How it works

Four steps. No software to install, no accessibility expertise required.

  1. Upload

    Drop in any PDF. A scan needs no account — just the file.

  2. Scan

    We run automated WCAG 2.1 AA and PDF/UA machine checks and list every issue, with severity.

  3. Fix

    One click applies the reliable automatic fixes: tagging, document language, title, table structure, and more.

  4. Verified download

    Download the fixed PDF with a verification report: it passes automated WCAG 2.1 AA and PDF/UA machine checks, with items listed for manual review.

Why this matters now

The pressure for accessible documents is rising on every front. Context, not legal advice — we're not lawyers.

3,117

federal ADA web-accessibility suits filed in 2025 — up 27% year over year

Source: Seyfarth/UsableNet via the testparty.ai 2026 data hub

28 June 2025

the EU Accessibility Act became enforceable across EU member states

Source: EU Directive 2019/882

April 2027 / 2028

US state and local governments face WCAG 2.1 AA deadlines

Source: DOJ ADA Title II final rule

Simple, honest pricing

Launch pricing — prices may change as the product matures. Every tier includes the same honest verification report.

Single Fix

$7 / document

  • Up to 50 pages included
  • $0.25 per page beyond 50
  • Full scan + automatic fixes
  • Verification report
Start with a free scan

Starter

$29 / month

  • 20 documents per month
  • Full scan + automatic fixes
  • Verification report
  • Email support

Most popular

Pro

$79 / month

  • 75 documents per month
  • Full scan + automatic fixes
  • Verification report
  • Priority support

Agency

$199 / month

  • 250 documents per month
  • Unlimited WordPress sites
  • White-label reports
  • Priority support

Need to fix a document today? The free scan shows you exactly what we'd fix before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

What does "PDF accessibility" mean?

An accessible PDF is one that assistive technology — like screen readers — can actually read and navigate. That means real text instead of scanned images, a tagged document structure, headings in the right order, alt text on images, a set document language, table headers, and descriptive links. It's the difference between a PDF everyone can use and one that locks some people out.

Who needs accessible PDFs?

Anyone who publishes PDFs for the public: businesses, schools, nonprofits, and government bodies. In the US, ADA-related lawsuits over inaccessible digital documents keep rising, and in the EU the European Accessibility Act is now enforceable for many digital products and services. Beyond legal pressure, accessible PDFs simply reach more people — including the many users who rely on screen readers. (We're not lawyers; this isn't legal advice.)

What does the free scan check?

The free scan runs the same automated WCAG 2.1 AA and PDF/UA machine checks our fixer uses: whether the PDF is tagged, whether it has a document title and language set, heading structure, presence of alt text, table header markup, link annotations, and other machine-detectable issues. You get every finding with its severity — free, no account needed.

What does "verified" mean?

When we say a fixed PDF is verified, we mean exactly this: it passes automated WCAG 2.1 AA and PDF/UA machine checks, with items listed for manual review. No automated tool can determine legal compliance on its own, and we don't claim otherwise. The verification report shows what passed the machine checks and what still needs a human to look at.

What do I still have to review myself?

Machines can detect whether alt text exists, but only a person can judge whether it's good. The same goes for reading order, whether a table's structure matches its meaning, and whether color is the only way information is conveyed. Every report includes a clearly labeled "needs human review" section for exactly these items.

What happens to my files?

Your file is sent only to the scan service for analysis, over an encrypted connection. We never sell or share your documents, and files are deleted within 24 hours. We keep only the anonymized check results needed to show you the report.

Do I need an account for the free scan?

No. Upload a PDF, get the report — that's it. You'll only need an account later if you want automatic fixes, subscriptions, or the WordPress plugin.

Learn

Plain-language guides on PDF accessibility, lawsuits, and enforcement — drawn from our weekly research briefing. New pieces publish here as they're approved.

In review

The Carrefour fine clock

What €500-a-day penalties teach about the real cost of ignoring document accessibility.

In review

Why overlays lose lawsuits

Quick-fix widgets vs. real remediation — what actually holds up when it matters.

In review

AI-ready PDFs

How accessible structure makes your documents show up in AI search and answer engines.