JAVA PDF SDK

Process documents at scale — entirely in Java

Convert Office files, emails, webpages, and images to PDF in seconds. Near‑instant cold starts and tiny footprints keep microservices lean. Work with clean, idiomatic builders. Ship faster and lower your costs.


Automatic file type handling

Drop in any supported file — Word, Excel, HTML, images, and more — and the SDK converts it to PDF so you can edit it immediately.

Proven core

Runs on the battle‑tested engine behind Nutrient Web and Document Engine SDKs that’s trusted by thousands of enterprises worldwide.

Always current

Standalone package that tracks the same updates as our Web Viewer SDK and Document Engine; just bump the version to stay up to date with the latest technology.


Conversion and editing toolkit built for modern Java

From one‑call file conversions to precise PDF edits, everything lives in one SDK — no extra servers, CLI tools, or runtimes.

Java capabilities

Multi‑format → PDF

Convert Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, emails, images, and CAD files to pixel‑perfect PDFs in one call.

PDF → Web and text

Reflow any PDF into responsive HTML or clean Markdown for fast publishing.

Edit and assemble PDFs

Merge, split, and reorder pages; insert text or images; and update metadata with safe, fluent builders.

Archive and make accessible

Generate PDF/A documents for long‑term archiving and auto‑tagged PDF/UA for WCAG‑ and ADA‑level compliance.

Easy code integration

Add Nutrient to your project in just a few lines. Then extend or customize every step with a clear, chainable Java API.

package io.nutrient.Sample;
import io.nutrient.sdk.Document;
public class WordDocumentToPDF {
public static void main(String[] args){
try (Document document = Document.open("input.docx")){
document.exportAsPdf("output.pdf");
}
}
}

Reasons to build with Nutrient

Nutrient SDKs and Cloud APIs add full document lifecycle support to any platform, tech stack, or infrastructure in minutes. The same technology meets Fortune 500 requirements while helping startups ship fast.

Ready for context engineering

Clean documentation, drop-in code, and MCP hooks for both hands-on developers and AI agents.

Build for and deploy anywhere

Web, mobile, desktop, server, or Nutrient Cloud — with no lock-in.

Secure and accessible

SOC 2 Type II and WCAG 2.2-compliant workflows with PDF/UA-accessible documents.

AI-first document workflows

Built-in document AI with support for leading LLMs and their private implementations.


See what our customers love about our Java PDF viewer

"Great tool that covers one of our product’s core functionalities."

Dmytro H.
Principal Engineer

"A true partner in delivering value for our customers."

KIM T.
Small Business (50 or fewer employees)

"The software is reliable and easy to integrate with."

Verified User in Computer Software
Mid-Market (51–1,000 employees)

PROVEN AT SCALE

Trusted by the brands that move the world


The digital arm of Germany’s national railway digitizes millions of track maintenance blueprints with the Nutrient PDF SDK, keeping 40,000 trains rolling each day.


Governance portal trusted by 2,000+ boards in 30 countries embeds Nutrient Web SDK to enable in‑portal annotations and cross‑device continuity, achieving 80 percent user engagement.


Rolled out nationwide PAdES-compliant signatures with the Nutrient PDF SDK, letting every Austrian citizen sign official documents securely in seconds.


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Start building with our Java SDK in minutes — no payment information required.


Java PDF libraries

What are the advantages?

Integrating PDF functionality into Java applications can significantly enhance document management capabilities. This section will explore the essentials of Java PDF libraries to guide you through this integration.

What is a Java PDF library?

A Java PDF library is a set of APIs enabling developers to create, manipulate, and manage PDF documents within Java applications. These libraries provide functionality such as generating PDFs from scratch, modifying existing documents, extracting content, and handling form data.

How to choose the right Java PDF library

Selecting the right Java PDF library is like choosing the right tool for a job — it should match your project’s needs. Consider the following factors:

  • Feature set — Ensure the library supports essential functionalities like PDF creation, editing, annotation, encryption, and form handling.
  • Performance — Look for a library optimized for efficient processing, especially if your application handles large documents or requires batch processing.
  • Licensing and cost — Assess whether the library’s licensing model aligns with your project’s budget and distribution plans.
What are the benefits of using Nutrient’s Java PDF library?

Opting for Nutrient (formerly PSPDFKit) offers several advantages:

  • Comprehensive feature set — Beyond basic PDF viewing and editing, Nutrient provides advanced functionality, such as redaction, watermarking, OCR, and table extraction.
  • High performance — Designed to handle high-volume document processing tasks, ensuring reliability and efficiency for enterprise-level applications.
  • Ease of integration — With well-documented guides and support, integrating Nutrient’s library into your Java application is straightforward.
  • Reliable support — Access to dedicated customer support and comprehensive documentation aids in smooth development and issue resolution.
How does Nutrient’s Java PDF library compare to other solutions?

While other Java PDF libraries may offer basic functionalities, Nutrient’s Java PDF library stands out with its extensive feature set, high performance, and focus on security. Its design prioritizes ease of use and seamless integration, making it a robust choice for applications aiming to enhance document processing and management capabilities.

Integrating a Java PDF library into your application is a strategic move to boost functionality and user satisfaction. By carefully evaluating your needs and exploring available options, you can select a solution that not only meets your current requirements but also supports your application’s future growth and evolution.


Frequently asked questions

How does Nutrient Java SDK compare to other SDKs in terms of features?

Compared to open source options like PDFium, Nutrient provides a more comprehensive, out-of-the-box solution with enterprise-grade features and support. Built-in caching and resource management ensure consistent performance, even under heavy loads — something that can be challenging to achieve with free PDF libraries that may not be optimized for production use. The Nutrient library also offers advanced features similar to those from closed-source solutions such as iText, but with support and increased ease of use.

How does Nutrient Java SDK ensure high-fidelity rendering?

The SDK uses a highly accurate and reliable rendering engine built on 22 years of in-house technology, which also powers our other products like the .NET SDK (formerly GdPicture) and Document Engine.

Can I use Nutrient Java SDK to merge or convert PDF files?

Definitely. Our Java SDK provides robust tools to combine multiple PDFs into a single document, making it easier to manage large reports, legal documents, or multipart records. The merging functionality ensures page order is preserved and metadata remains intact, providing a smooth, structured output.

Beyond merging, our Java SDK also supports file format conversion, enabling users to convert Word documents, HTML files, images, and other formats into nearly any possible document format. This is particularly useful for automated document workflows, enabling businesses to generate documents (PDF or Word, for instance) from existing digital assets while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

For applications requiring bulk processing, the Nutrient SDK offers batch merging and conversion capabilities, optimizing performance for high-volume document operations. Whether you’re combining PDFs for archiving, generating reports, or transforming documents into standardized formats, our Java SDK provides the speed, reliability, and flexibility needed to handle these tasks efficiently.

Is Nutrient Java SDK suitable for enterprise-level applications?

Absolutely. The SDK is designed to be safe, reliable, and scalable, making it well-suited for enterprise applications that require robust document processing capabilities. It’s trusted by industry leaders, and it ensures compliance with various security and privacy standards. The SDK includes optimization features for memory usage and processing speed, making it suitable for server applications that need to process thousands of files.

Can Nutrient Java SDK parse PDF files?

Yes. The Nutrient Java PDF library is designed to parse PDF files, enabling developers to efficiently extract, analyze, and manipulate document content. Whether working with text, images, metadata, or structured elements like tables and forms, the library provides powerful parsing capabilities to ensure accurate data retrieval. For businesses handling invoices, contracts, or financial reports, the SDK also enables the parsing of form fields and structured elements, making it easy to extract user-submitted data for processing and integration into databases or third-party systems.