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PDF Accessibility Checker for Structure Signals

Inspect a PDF on your device without uploading it. Choose a file up to 25 MB and use DevCheck to review structure clues, including tags and form fields. Reading order and actual use need separate checks; the tool does not repair or auto-tag the document.

What this PDF accessibility checker can inspect

A PDF can look visually correct without exposing useful structure to assistive technologies. DevCheck focuses on structure signals so teams can decide whether to repair the source document, run deeper review, or export the PDF again.

  • Tag structures

    List pages with tag structures and pages where tags were not detected. Tags alone do not establish correct structure or reading order. For now, check document language in a PDF reader or editor’s document properties; do not treat DevCheck’s “No language set” result as a confirmed finding.

  • Links, images, and form fields

    List detected image-paint operations, link annotations and form-field annotations, including whether fields have tooltip text. These are not issue counts. The checker does not validate each image alternative or judge whether link purposes and field names are clear.

  • Bookmarks and page consistency

    Inspect bookmarks and page-size variants. A landscape appendix may intentionally use a different size. Missing bookmarks or mixed sizes are not automatic accessibility failures; review them in the context of the document and its navigation needs.

  • Local checking workflow

    PDF structure checks run in the browser and do not upload the PDF to Accesserty.

How to check PDF accessibility structure with DevCheck

Choose a file, inspect its structural clues, then check how the document is actually read and used. This check does not require AI.

  1. Step 1

    Install the browser extension (Chrome/Edge or Firefox).

  2. Step 2

    Open the Scan tab in DevCheck and find the PDF check. In Firefox, first use the button to open the PDF checker, then continue in its separate window or tab.

  3. Step 3

    Choose a PDF file from your computer (up to 25 MB), then select Analyze PDF. You do not need to open it in the browser’s PDF viewer first.

  4. Step 4

    Record the document name and version, then copy the result summary. Start with pages without detected tags and fields without tooltip text, and compare them with the document; counts alone are not an issue list.

  5. Step 5

    After making changes in the source document or a PDF authoring tool, select the newly exported PDF and check again. Also use a PDF reader, keyboard and screen reader to review reading order, links and forms.

Install Chrome / Edge Install Firefox View the DevCheck product page

A PDF accessibility checker cannot replace complete PDF remediation

DevCheck does not remediate PDFs, automatically tag PDFs, certify PDF/UA conformance, or provide a legal compliance decision. It provides structure signals that help decide whether fuller manual review, source-document repair, assistive technology testing, or professional PDF remediation is needed.

When is this PDF check useful?

  • Content and operations teams

    Check basic structure signals before publishing PDFs instead of relying only on visual layout.

  • QA and product teams

    Keep traceable PDF risk clues during document delivery, pre-release checks, or regression workflows.

  • Engineers and site maintainers

    Prioritize documents that need review when managing PDF downloads, forms, reports, or public notices on a website.

  • Developers and teams delivering client sites

    Check the structure signals of PDF notices and forms a client hands you before uploading them to the site. The file stays on your computer.

What would you like to learn next?

Frequently asked questions

Why can analysis stop even when my file is under 25 MB?

DevCheck also limits page count (up to 500 pages), analysis time and document complexity. A limit, cancellation or parsing error means the check did not finish, not that the document passed or failed. Keep the error message and use a tool suited to the document; do not remove required content just to get under a limit.

Does DevCheck upload my PDF?

No. PDF structure signal checks run in the browser and do not upload the PDF to Accesserty.

Can DevCheck fix PDFs or automatically tag them?

No. DevCheck is a checker, not a PDF remediation tool. If the document lacks tags, alternatives, reading order, or form labels, the source document or PDF still needs to be fixed in an authoring tool.

Does passing this check mean the PDF conforms to PDF/UA or WCAG?

No. Structure signals help identify risk, but they do not prove that the PDF is fully usable, PDF/UA conformant, WCAG conformant, or legally compliant.