What happens when you convert PS to PDF
- The PostScript is run by Ghostscript, the standard open-source PostScript interpreter, on our conversion server and written as a PDF with every page, at the page size the file sets.
- Vector shapes and text stay vectors, so the result is as sharp as the original at any size.
- PostScript is a programming language, so Ghostscript runs it in its safe mode, where the file cannot read or write anything else on the server.
- This conversion runs on our server: the file is uploaded, converted, and deleted together with the result as soon as the result has been sent back to you. Nothing is kept. Files up to 25 MB are accepted.
How to convert PS to PDF online
- Press "Choose PS files" and select one or more files, or drag them onto the box. Files up to 25 MB each can be converted.
- There are no settings to choose: the converter keeps everything the target format can hold.
- Press "Convert to PDF". The file is uploaded to our conversion server, converted in a few seconds, and deleted together with the result as soon as the result is sent back.
- Save each PDF with its download button. Our server has already deleted both your PS and the PDF by then.
Why convert PS to PDF?
PS files usually come from print jobs, printer drivers and output from Unix, LaTeX and scientific programs. People convert them to PDF because a PDF looks the same on every device and is what forms, portals and printers ask for.
In short, PS is good at what it was made for, and PDF is the more practical choice when the file has to open, upload or print somewhere else. PS does not open in browsers; Ghostscript, Okular and Evince open it, and so did macOS Preview before Ventura, while PDF opens in every browser's built-in viewer.
How to convert PS to PDF on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android
On Windows
Open this page in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, drag your PS files in from File Explorer, and press Convert. Each PDF is saved to your Downloads folder.
On a Mac
Safari, Chrome and Firefox all work. Drag the PS files from Finder onto the drop zone and the PDF files land in Downloads.
On iPhone and iPad
Open the page in Safari and tap Choose PS files. You can pick from Photos or from the Files app. The converted PDF appears in Files, in the Downloads folder.
On Android
Open the page in Chrome, tap Choose PS files and pick them from Files or your gallery. The PDF is saved to the Download folder, where any file manager can find it.
Best settings for PS to PDF
There are no settings: every page is kept at its own size, and vectors and text stay as they are.
The PDF opens in every browser and phone, and prints exactly like the original.
PS vs PDF: the differences
| PS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | PostScript | Portable Document Format |
| Type | document | document |
| Created by | Adobe | Adobe |
| First released | 1984 | 1993 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | No | No |
| Animation | No | No |
| Vector or raster | Vector | Vector |
| Colour | any colour, pages of text, vector shapes and images | any colour, pages can mix text, vectors and images |
| In a browser | does not open in browsers; Ghostscript, Okular and Evince open it, and so did macOS Preview before Ventura | opens in every browser's built-in viewer |
| Common uses | print jobs, printer drivers and output from Unix, LaTeX and scientific programs | documents, forms, invoices and print-ready files |
| MIME type | application/postscript | application/pdf |
About PS and PDF files
What is a PS file?
PostScript is a programming language for describing pages, made by Adobe for laser printers. A .ps file is a program that a printer or Ghostscript runs to draw each page, which is why converting it to PDF is the usual way to view or share it.
What is a PDF file?
A PDF fixes the layout of every page so it looks the same on any device. Converting a PDF to an image renders each page to pixels; converting an image to PDF wraps it as a page.
PS to PDF not working? Common problems
- "Files up to 25 MB can be converted." Server conversions have a size limit. Compress the images inside the file, or split it, and try again.
- "The conversion took too long and was stopped." Very long or complex files can pass the 90 second limit. Split the file and convert the parts.
- The PS will not convert. It may be damaged, or try to do something the converter blocks for safety, such as reading other files.
Convert PS to PDF from the command line
This page uses Ghostscript, which is free for Windows, Mac and Linux. The same conversion from the command line:
gs -dSAFER -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOutputFile=output.pdf input.psConverting on your own computer keeps the file entirely local, which is worth it for very large or very sensitive documents. For everything else, the converter on this page does it without installing anything.
PS to PDF converter FAQ
Will I lose quality converting PS to PDF?
No. Vector artwork and text stay vectors, so nothing is lost at any size.
Why is the PDF a different size from the PS?
Both store vector drawing instructions, so the PDF is usually of a similar size to the PS; embedded images and fonts make the biggest difference.
Are my PS files uploaded?
Yes, for this conversion. A faithful PS to PDF conversion needs Ghostscript, the open-source PostScript interpreter, which cannot run in a browser. The file travels over an encrypted connection, is converted in a private temporary folder, and is deleted together with the PDF as soon as the result has been sent back to you. We do not keep, read or share it.
Can I convert several PS files to PDF at once?
Yes. Select or drop as many files as you like; they are converted one after another and each gets its own download button.
How do I open a PDF file?
PDF opens in every browser's built-in viewer. PDF is common for documents, forms, invoices and print-ready files.
Is this PS to PDF converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark. Because this conversion uses our server, there is a fair-use limit of 25 MB per file and a number of files per hour, which stops the service being overloaded.
Can I convert PS to PDF on my phone?
Yes. It works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. The conversion happens on our server, so it is as fast on a phone as on a computer; the PDF is saved to your Downloads folder.