A CV, a cover letter or an assignment often has to be sent as a PDF, so it looks the same on every device and can’t be changed by accident. If you don’t have Microsoft Office, or you’re on a phone or a borrowed computer, here are four free ways to do it, and how to choose the right one.
Option 1: ToolNest Word to PDF (fastest, nothing uploaded)
- Open Word to PDF.
- Choose your .docx file. It is converted in a few seconds.
- Click Download PDF.
The conversion runs inside your browser, so the document never leaves your device. That’s ideal for private files like CVs with your phone number and address. It keeps headings, paragraphs, bold and italic text, lists, tables and pictures. Exact fonts, colours and complex page layouts are simplified, so it works best for everyday documents: letters, CVs, reports and assignments.
Option 2: Google Docs (best for Sinhala and Tamil)
- Upload the .docx to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs.
- Choose File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf).
Google Docs handles Sinhala, Tamil and other scripts well and keeps more of the original design. The catch is that your file is uploaded to your Google account, and you need to be signed in.
Option 3: LibreOffice (free Office for your computer)
LibreOffice is a free, full office suite for Windows, Mac and Linux. Open the Word file in LibreOffice Writer and choose File → Export as PDF. It keeps complex layouts very well and works without the internet, but it’s a large download to install.
Option 4: Microsoft Word for the web
With a free Microsoft account you can open Word documents at office.com and download them as PDF. Like Google Docs, the file is stored online in your account.
Which one should you use?
| Method | Best for | Upload or install? |
|---|---|---|
| ToolNest Word to PDF | Quick, private conversions of everyday documents | Neither |
| Google Docs | Sinhala or Tamil text, fancy layouts | Uploads to Google Drive |
| LibreOffice | Exact layouts, working offline | Install on a computer |
| Word for the web | Documents made in Word with special formatting | Uploads to OneDrive |
Have an old .doc file?
The ToolNest converter reads the modern .docx format. For an older .doc file, open it in Google Docs or LibreOffice and save it as .docx first, or export it to PDF directly from there.
Need to go the other way? PDF to Word turns a PDF back into an editable Word document.
Common questions
Can I convert Word to PDF on my phone?
Yes. Open the Word to PDF tool in your phone's browser, choose the .docx file from your phone and download the PDF.
Will my document look exactly the same?
Text, headings, lists, tables and pictures are kept. Special fonts and complex layouts are simplified. For pixel-perfect results, use LibreOffice or Word.
Why does my Sinhala or Tamil text look wrong?
The ToolNest converter's built-in font doesn't include Sinhala or Tamil letters, and it warns you when your document has them. Use Google Docs for those documents.
Is there a watermark or a limit?
No. ToolNest adds no watermark, needs no sign-up and has no daily limit.