PDF Version Detector
Drop a PDF file here or click to upload
No size limit — large files welcome
🔒 Your files are processed securely and never uploaded to any server.
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What is Version Detector?
Version Detector reads a PDF file and reports its version number, page count, title, and author metadata. It extracts the PDF version from the file header (the %PDF-X.Y marker in the first kilobyte), loads the document structure to count pages, and reads the document info dictionary for metadata fields.
The tool outputs a plain-text report with the version, page count, title, and author. This is useful for checking compatibility with specific PDF readers or workflows that require a minimum version, or for quickly inspecting metadata without opening the file in a PDF viewer.
How to Use Version Detector
- Upload a PDF by dropping it onto the upload zone.
- Click Detect Version. The tool reads the header and parses the document structure.
- View the output report showing the PDF version, page count, title, and author.
Why Use Version Detector?
Different PDF versions support different features — PDF 1.4 introduced transparency, PDF 1.5 added JPEG2000 compression, and PDF 2.0 includes 3D and rich media. Knowing the version helps determine compatibility with your target audience's reader software. The tool is also handy for auditing documents you receive from clients or third parties to confirm they meet your workflow requirements.
Privacy & Security
Your files never leave your browser. Every step — reading the header, loading the document, and extracting metadata — happens on your own device using pdf-lib compiled to WebAssembly. Nothing is uploaded to Racira's servers, no copies are stored in the cloud, and no file data is transmitted at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What PDF versions exist?
Common versions are PDF 1.4 (Acrobat 5, supports transparency), PDF 1.6 (Acrobat 7, supports JBIG2 and OpenType), PDF 1.7 (Acrobat 8–9, widely supported), and PDF 2.0 (ISO 32000-2, the current standard). Most modern readers support PDF 1.4 and above.
Does this tool modify the PDF?
No. Version Detector is read-only — it inspects the file and reports information without making any changes. The output is a plain-text report, not a modified PDF.