Here’s How to Convert xHTML Files to PDF Documents in 2025

XHTML and PDF serve very different purposes: XHTML is used to structure web pages with precision, while PDF ensures that documents remain consistent and accessible across platforms. Often, businesses, developers, and everyday users need to convert XHTML files to PDF for invoices, reports, or archiving. This guide breaks down 5 reliable techniques covering professional converters, free online tools, and coding options so you can find the perfect solution for your workflow.

XHTML, or Extensible Hypertext Markup Language, is a web language that combines the flexibility of HTML with the strict rules of XML, ensuring cleaner code and better compatibility across browsers and platforms. It’s often used to structure web content such as reports, invoices, and data-driven pages.

On the other hand, PDF (Portable Document Format) is a universal file format developed by Adobe that preserves text, images, and layouts consistently, regardless of the device or software used to open it. Because XHTML is optimized for web display while PDF is optimized for sharing and printing, many users need to convert XHTML files into PDFs to make them more portable, professional, and presentation-ready. With this in mind, let’s look at the top five techniques to convert XHTML to PDF effectively.

Why Should You Convert XHTML to PDF?

Here are a few common reasons why XHTML file to PDF conversion is often sought among users.

• Consistency Across Devices: PDF ensures your document looks the same no matter the operating system, browser, or device.
• Professional Presentation: Converting XHTML to PDF is useful for invoices, reports, contracts, and other official documents where design matters.
• Easy Sharing and Printing: PDFs are widely supported and easy to distribute via email, cloud storage, or print.
• Archiving and Security: Unlike XHTML files that may depend on browsers, PDFs can be archived safely and even protected with passwords or encryption.
• Reduced Compatibility Issues: XHTML requires strict coding and may render differently in browsers, but PDFs eliminate this risk.

In short, converting XHTML to PDF gives you a clean, reliable, and portable file format that balances structured content with universal accessibility.

Top 5 Techniques to Convert xHTML to PDF

When a user needs to convert xHTML file to PDF, they would like the result to be properly formatted, easy on the eye and look good on any OS. It also means more than a simple file format conversion. That is why we have described multiple methods, each of which has its benefits and at the same time considered these aspects. Therefore, the users are familiar with the differences so that they can select the one that is most appropriate for their use.

#1 Professional xHTML Converter

SysTools Document Converter Software is the best professional-grade software to convert XHTML documents. This is a very flexible conversion tool meant for dealing with many formats of files such as xHTML to PDF. Whether you are dealing with structured xHTML documents or styled Web content, this software will retain the layout, formatting and design of the original document.

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It is a perfect tool for both novices and experienced users due to its easy-to-use interface. Whether you are creating reports, invoices, or other printable forms, this tool helps you do it quickly, efficiently, and without undue stress.

Steps to Convert xHTML to PDF Using Professional Software:

1. Launch the application on either Windows or Mac (download the relevant software).
2. To upload the XHTML files, you need to click on the “Add File(s)” or “Add Folder” button. You can also upload many files at once for conversion in sets.
3. The output is PDF by default. SysTools offers other options, including page layout such as orientation and margins, among others and even password protection for generated PDF file.
4. Locate and choose the directory, to which the converted PDF files should be delivered.
5. When ready to convert the xHTML to PDF click the “Export” button. After the process is over, go to the destination folder to verify the PDF files.

Its Advantages:

• High-quality output.
• Additional settings for headers and footers, and additional ones for watermarks.
• Ideal for frequent conversion.

It is Best For:

• Those who want the best results regardless of their work environment: enterprises, designers, or developers.
• For those who need to do frequent conversions or process large documents.
• Those who want to convert other file formats (40+ formats) like OTS to PDF, WPS to PDF, TXT to PDF, etc.

#2 Convert xHTML to PDF Online Free (using Aspose)

Instant and at no cost, there are numerous online converters that you can use. One of them is Aspose which enables converting xHTML to PDF online free without any hindrance. It is as simple as uploading your xHTML file. The tool does all the work and then you download your PDF.

Steps to Use Aspose:

1. Go to the website Aspose XHTML to PDF tool.
2. Upload your xHTML file.
3. Press the “Convert” button and save the output PDF.

Its Advantages:

• Completely free to use.
• No installation required.

It is Best For:

• Infrequent and occasional consumers or single-conversion prospects.

#3 Convert from xHTML to PDF with Adobe

Adobe Acrobat offers a direct way to convert web pages or xHTML files into high-quality PDFs. By combining Acrobat with its browser integration tools, you can even capture styled elements like tables, images, and forms.

Steps to Use Adobe for xHTML to PDF Conversion:

1. Open Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2. Under the File, go to Create PDF > From Web Page.
3. Click on the browse button to upload the xHTML file to create the PDF.

Its Advantages:

• Professional-grade quality.
• Completely integrated with the interactive part.

It is Best For: 

• Business people who are in the workspace and have already adapted to using Adobe tools since Adobe is rather expensive to be bought for simple file conversion.

#4 xHTML to PDF Python (xhtml2pdf)

Python coders can convert XHTML to PDF using Python libraries. This method can be useful for automating many work processes or for integrating PDF generation option into an application.

Sample Code to Use xhtml2pdf in Python:

from xhtml2pdf import pisa

def convert_xhtml_to_pdf(source_html, output_file):
with open(output_file, “wb”) as pdf_file:
pisa_status = pisa.CreatePDF(source_html, dest=pdf_file)
return pisa_status.err

source_html = “<html><body><h1>Hello, PDF!</h1></body></html>”
output_file = “output.pdf”
convert_xhtml_to_pdf(source_html, output_file)

Its Advantages:

• It is fully customizable with Python scripting.
• Well-suited for the application that is dynamic or for automated workflow.

It is Best For:

• Developers and coders building custom tools or applications.

Note: xhtml2pdf Django is somewhat different from this method. It is a simple wrapper on xhtml2pdf that makes integration with Django easier. It was last updated in  2018 (source), so it’s up to the user to decide whether or not they are willing to take the risk of choosing this option.

#5 How to Change xHTML to PDF in Java

Java developers can use libraries like iText to change xHTML to PDF. This method is similar to Python scripting but is well-suited for enterprise-level applications due to Java’s robustness.

Java developers can for example use libraries such as iText to convert xHTML to PDF. This method is very similar to the Python scripting method, but more appropriate for the enterprise-level applications because of the Java solidity.

Sample Code for Java Users:

import com.itextpdf.html2pdf.HtmlConverter;
import java.io.FileOutputStream;

public class XHTMLtoPDF {
public static void main(String[] args) {
try {
HtmlConverter.convertToPdf(“<html><body><h1>Hello, PDF!</h1></body></html>”,
new FileOutputStream(“output.pdf”));
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
}

Its Advantages:

• Stable and efficient for large scale work.
• Features like encrypting of data and creating digital signatures.

It is best for:

• Java developers who are planning and designing massive applications.

Table Comparison of All Techniques

Technique	Ease of Use	Cost	Best For
Professional xHTML Converter	High	Paid	Corporate users, heavy-duty tasks
Aspose (Online)	Very High	Free	Casual users
Adobe Acrobat	Medium	Paid	Professionals needing precision
Python (xhtml2pdf)	Medium	Free	Developers building automation
Java (iText)	Medium	Free	Enterprise-level projects

Frequently Asked Questions on XHTML to PDF Conversion

Q. Can I convert XHTML to PDF online for free?

Yes, online tools like Aspose allow you to upload an XHTML file and instantly download a converted PDF without any software installation.

Q. How do I convert XHTML to PDF using Python?

You can use the xhtml2pdf library in Python. It allows you to render XHTML and CSS into a PDF file programmatically, which is useful for automation and application integration.

Q. Is Adobe Acrobat good for converting XHTML to PDF?

Yes, Adobe Acrobat provides professional-quality conversion, retaining formatting and layout. It is best suited for businesses or users already working with Adobe tools.

Q. Which is better: Java or Python for XHTML to PDF conversion?

Python is simpler for small projects and automation, while Java (using iText) is better for large-scale enterprise applications due to its robustness and advanced features like encryption and digital signatures.

Let’s Conclude

Whether you’re a developer, a business professional, or just need a quick one-time conversion, there’s always a way to convert XHTML into PDF that suits your workflow. Developers can automate with Python or Java, professionals can rely on SysTools for precise formatting, and casual users can take advantage of free online converters. To summarize, pick the method that fits your needs and enjoy the flexibility of sharing and archiving your XHTML files in the universally accepted PDF format.