Free online MSG to PDF converter

A PDF is easier to share, print, and archive than an Outlook-specific message file, especially when the recipient does not use Outlook. Converting an email also creates a fixed-layout record for document-management, legal, or compliance workflows.

What the MSG format is

.msg is Microsoft Outlook's proprietary file format for an individual email, calendar item, contact, task, or note. An email MSG can contain the sender, recipients, subject, dates, message body, headers, formatting, inline images, and attachment references.

Outlook for Windows provides the most complete MSG support. Other mail clients and file viewers may omit Outlook-specific properties, embedded content, formatting, or attachments. An MSG is not just a plain-text email: it is a structured container that can preserve message data unavailable in a rendered document.

What the PDF format is

PDF, standardized as ISO 32000, preserves a document's page layout across Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile devices, printers, and document-management systems. A PDF is suitable for sharing correspondence with people who do not have Outlook and usually keeps the visible message text searchable.

PDF conversion renders the message rather than preserving its Outlook data structure. Transport headers, categories, flags, voting buttons, conversation properties, and other metadata may not appear. Attachments may be represented only by their filenames unless the conversion tool explicitly embeds or converts them.

Convert an MSG file with Outlook

1. Open the .msg file in Microsoft Outlook for Windows.
2. Check the sender, recipients, subject, date, message body, inline images, and attachment list.
3. Select File → Print.
4. Choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
5. Set the required page range, paper size, orientation, color, and scaling options.
6. Select Print, choose a destination, enter a filename ending in .pdf, and select Save.

This method converts the content Outlook can display and print. It does not guarantee that the original attachment files are included in the PDF. Save important attachments separately, or use a conversion utility that specifically supports options such as include attachments or convert attachments to PDF.

Convert without installing software

You can upload the file to the free converter on 101convert.com and download the resulting PDF without installing desktop software. Check the service's current handling and retention terms before uploading confidential, personal, legal, or regulated email.

Check the converted file

• Review rendering: missing fonts, unsupported HTML, blocked remote images, custom signatures, and unusual page layouts can change the appearance.
• Verify attachments: confirm that required files are present separately or that the selected tool converted them into the output.
• Check searchability: normal message text is generally searchable; scanned pages and image-only content require OCR.
• Check protected content: encrypted messages, restricted attachments, and rights-managed files may not convert unless Outlook can decrypt and display them.
• Retain source data: for legal or compliance use, keep the original .msg, the PDF, and a record of the software, version, and settings used.
• For formal long-term preservation, use a workflow that produces PDF/A when required; an ordinary PDF is not automatically a PDF/A file.