Need to convert a PDF to Word document? Whether you want to edit a PDF contract, modify a resume, or update a report — converting PDF to Word (.docx) format makes editing easy. In this guide, we'll show you 5 free methods to convert PDF to Word on any device.
Why Convert PDF to Word?
- Edit text and formatting that you can't change in PDF
- Update documents without recreating them from scratch
- Copy and reuse content easily
- Collaborate with others who use Word
- Fill in forms and make corrections
Method 1: Convert PDF to Word Using Microsoft Word
If you have Microsoft Word installed, this is the easiest method:
- Open Microsoft Word
- Click File → Open
- Navigate to your PDF file and select it
- Word will show a message: "Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word document"
- Click OK
- Wait for the conversion to complete
- Edit the document as needed
- Save as .docx using File → Save As
Note: This method works best with text-heavy PDFs. Complex layouts with many images may not convert perfectly.
Method 2: Convert PDF to Word Using Google Docs (Free)
Google Docs is a free way to convert PDFs:
- Go to drive.google.com
- Click New → File upload and upload your PDF
- Right-click the uploaded PDF → Open with → Google Docs
- Google Docs will open the PDF as an editable document
- Make your edits
- Click File → Download → Microsoft Word (.docx)
Pros: Completely free, no software installation needed, works on any device with a browser.
Cons: May lose some formatting, especially with complex layouts.
Method 3: Using Adobe Acrobat Online (Free)
Adobe, the creator of PDF format, offers a free online converter:
- Go to adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-to-word.html
- Click "Select a file" or drag and drop your PDF
- Wait for Adobe to convert the file
- Click Download to save the Word file
Pros: Best conversion quality since Adobe created PDF format. Maintains formatting very well.
Cons: Limited to 1 free conversion, then requires sign-in. Full features need Adobe Acrobat Pro subscription.
Method 4: Using iLovePDF (Free Online)
iLovePDF is one of the most popular free PDF tools:
- Go to ilovepdf.com/pdf_to_word
- Click "Select PDF file" or drag and drop
- Click "Convert to WORD"
- Click "Download WORD" when conversion is complete
Pros: Fast, free, no registration required, batch conversion available.
Cons: Daily free limit applies. For privacy-sensitive documents, consider offline methods.
Method 5: Using SmallPDF (Free Online)
- Go to smallpdf.com/pdf-to-word
- Drop your PDF file or click "Choose Files"
- Select conversion type (free uses standard conversion)
- Click Download to save the Word file
Pros: Clean interface, good conversion quality, also offers OCR for scanned PDFs.
Cons: Free tier has daily processing limits.
Comparison of All Methods
| Method | Price | Quality | Internet Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Requires Office | Very Good | No | Offline conversion |
| Google Docs | Free | Good | Yes | Quick, free conversion |
| Adobe Acrobat | Free (limited) | Best | Yes | Complex documents |
| iLovePDF | Free | Good | Yes | Batch conversion |
| SmallPDF | Free (limited) | Very Good | Yes | Scanned PDFs (OCR) |
How to Convert Scanned PDF to Word
Scanned PDFs are essentially images of documents, so they need OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract text:
- Use Adobe Acrobat Pro (best OCR quality)
- Or use Google Docs — it has built-in OCR capability
- Upload the scanned PDF to Google Drive
- Right-click → Open with Google Docs
- Google will automatically apply OCR and extract text
Tips for Better PDF to Word Conversion
- Simple PDFs convert best — text-heavy documents with basic formatting
- Complex layouts may need manual adjustment after conversion
- Check the converted document for formatting errors before using
- Use Adobe Acrobat for the most accurate conversion of complex documents
- For scanned PDFs, always use a tool with OCR capability
FAQ
Is it free to convert PDF to Word?
Yes, Google Docs and iLovePDF offer free PDF to Word conversion. Microsoft Word also opens PDFs directly if you have Office installed.
Can I convert PDF to Word on my phone?
Yes! Use the Google Docs app (free), Microsoft Word app, or visit ilovepdf.com in your phone's browser to convert PDFs to Word.
Will the formatting be exactly the same?
In most cases, the formatting will be very similar but not identical. Complex layouts with columns, tables, and images may need manual adjustments after conversion.
Conclusion
Converting PDF to Word is easy with these 5 free methods. For the best quality, use Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word. For a quick, free conversion, Google Docs or iLovePDF are excellent choices. Choose the method that works best for your document type and editing needs!