How do PDF page dimensions work?

PDF coordinates are defined in PostScript points, where 72 points equal 1 inch. For example, a US Letter page is 612 x 792 points, and an A4 page is 595 x 842 points. The PDF Inspector calculates and displays both the points and orientation for each page.

Can this tool read encrypted or password-protected PDFs?

If a PDF is password protected, the tool decrypts it client-side once you provide the password. For PDFs that only restrict permissions (Owner Password), the inspector loads them automatically and displays which DRM controls are restricted.

Why is checking font embedding important?

If a PDF uses fonts that are not embedded, other systems will substitute them with default fallbacks, which shifts layout alignment. This tool extracts all BaseFont names so you can confirm whether typography is fully embedded.

Where is my PDF processed?

Processing happens 100% locally in your web browser. No files are uploaded to any external server or API. The analysis is done using local JavaScript libraries, guaranteeing the privacy of your documents.

Does inspecting a PDF modify its contents?

No. The PDF Inspector is a read-only viewer. It parses the document structure to extract properties, but it does not change, write, or save any changes to your file.

Is the PDF Inspector completely free to use?

Yes. The PDF Inspector is entirely free with no registration, email requirements, or usage limits. Inspect unlimited documents with zero restrictions.

PDF Inspector Tool

Analyze the internal structure of your PDF. View page dimensions, inspect metadata, list embedded fonts, and check security permission rules.

Drop your PDF here

or click to browse

Upload one PDF to inspect structure and components

PDF files only

No document loaded. Upload a PDF on the left column to analyze its properties.

Upload a PDF to get started.

Why Use Our PDF Inspector Tool?

Comprehensive Audit

Get a complete structural breakdown of your PDF document. Inspect page counts, dimensions, PDF spec version, and object streams instantly.

Metadata Inspection

View author, title, keywords, creation date, modification date, and creator applications embedded within the PDF properties dictionary.

Font Discovery

Extract and list all unique embedded and external fonts used in the document to ensure styling compatibility and licensing checks.

Security & DRM Rules

Check encryption status, owner/user passwords, print permissions, text extraction rules, and editing restrictions on the document.

How to Inspect and Analyze Your PDF File

Upload Your PDF

Drag and drop or select your PDF document in the upload box. The local analyzer reads the file contents in-memory without uploading anything to a server.

Check Document Metadata

View embedded author credentials, creation date, modification dates, and subject keywords to ensure compliance before public distribution or legal filings.

Scan Fonts and Typos

Look up all fonts referenced inside the document stream. Verify if your design system fonts are correctly embedded or if standard fallback fonts are being used.

Analyze Page Dimensions

Review dimensions, aspect ratios, page rotation angles, and layout orientation page-by-page. Perfect for verifying print layout formats (A4, Letter, legal sizes).

Audit Security Permissions

Examine encryption flags, password configurations, and digital rights management (DRM) rules like copy, edit, print, and annotation restrictions.

Identify Embedded Media

Trace the count of raster images, interactive annotation blocks, form fields, and widgets on every individual page of your PDF file.

About PDF Inspector Tool

What is the PDF Inspector Tool?

The PDF Inspector tool provides an in-depth audit of any PDF document's internal properties, structure, and metadata. By parsing the PDF catalog, page tree, and object streams directly in your browser, the tool exposes details that typical file viewers hide, making it indispensable for digital pre-press, document security audits, and developer validation.

Understanding PDF Metadata vs. Structure

PDF metadata consists of standard keys (like Title, Author, and Subject) within the document information dictionary or XMP streams. Structural data, on the other hand, defines the physical layout of the document: the number of page objects, page dimensions in points, embedded font reference tables, and image resources. Our tool parses and visualizes both layers clearly.

The Importance of Font Embedding Audits

When sharing or printing PDFs, missing fonts can cause layout shifting or gibberish text representation. The PDF Inspector checks the page resource dictionary for embedded fonts, displaying their BaseFont names. This helps designers and prepress operators confirm whether all typography is embedded or if system fonts are required.

Page Units, Dimensions, and Rotations

PDF coordinates are measured in PostScript points (1/72 of an inch). This inspector calculates dimensions in points and renders them for easy interpretation. Additionally, it reads rotation properties (/Rotate) to explain how pages are oriented, helping you identify why a page might render upside down or cropped in some viewers.

Security Permissions & DRM Flags

PDF security uses encryption dictionaries to restrict access. By reading standard encryption flags, our tool tells you if the document is protected by a password and lists exactly what permissions are granted: high-resolution printing, copy/extract text, document modifications, or interactive form modifications.

100% Client-Side Privacy

Like all our utilities, the PDF Inspector runs entirely in your web browser. No bytes are sent to any external server. Your sensitive documents, financial statements, or proprietary PDFs remain safely inside your device's memory. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed by local processing.

Related PDF Tools

PDF Metadata Viewer

Inspect all standard and custom metadata properties.

PDF Metadata Editor

Edit and update title, author, and other properties.

Word Counter Tool

Analyze word counts and character statistics.

Compress PDF Tool

Reduce file size by optimizing document structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The PDF Inspector exposes details across five major areas: general file summary (size, pages, version), metadata dictionary (title, creator, dates), page properties (dimensions, rotation, orientation), font usage (list of font families), and detailed security permissions (DRM restrictions).

PDF coordinates are defined in PostScript points, where 72 points equal 1 inch. For example, a standard US Letter page is 612 x 792 points (8.5 x 11 inches), and an A4 page is 595 x 842 points (210 x 297 mm). The PDF Inspector calculates and displays both the points and the orientation of each page.

If a PDF is encrypted with a User Password (required to open), the tool will prompt you to enter the password to decrypt it client-side for inspection. If the PDF only has Owner Password security (restricting permissions), the tool will load it directly and list which actions are blocked.

If a PDF refers to fonts that are not embedded in the file, other devices might replace them with generic fallbacks (like Courier or Times New Roman), causing layout changes or text rendering errors. This tool lets you verify which fonts are referenced to ensure absolute visual consistency.

Processing happens 100% locally on your computer inside your web browser. No files are uploaded to any external server or cloud service. The analysis is done using JavaScript libraries (pdfjs-dist and pdf-lib) in-memory, ensuring complete privacy and security for your documents.

No. The PDF Inspector is a read-only tool. It parses the document structure to extract metadata, fonts, dimensions, and permissions, but it does not change, write, or re-save any part of your file. Your original PDF remains completely untouched.

Yes. The PDF Inspector is entirely free with no registration, email requirements, or usage limits. You can inspect as many files as you need without downloading any software or paying for subscriptions.