TeX or PDF? Preparing files arXiv will accept

The format question trips up many first-time authors. Some upload a beautiful PDF only to have it rejected; others upload LaTeXTeX / LaTeXA typesetting system widely used for scientific papers. arXiv accepts TeX/LaTeX source as well as PDFs; the linked article explains which to use. source that compiles on their laptop but fails on arXiv. This article summarises what arXiv's help pages say so you can prepare the right files the first time.

ResearchGuild is independent and not affiliated with arXiv. Always read the current arXiv pages linked above, because the processing system changes over time.

The short answer

• If you wrote it in TeX/LaTeX: submit the source files, not the PDF.
• If you wrote it in something else (such as Word): submit a single PDF.

arXiv states that it prefers TeX/LaTeX submissions and that it does not accept DVI, PS, or PDF created from TeX/LaTeX source. Such PDFs will typically be rejected, with exceptions granted case by case. arXiv's "Why submit the TeX/LaTeX source?" page explains its reasons in more detail.

Submitting TeX/LaTeX source

What changed recently

In April 2025, per arXiv, it changed how TeX submissions are processed, retiring the long-used "AutoTeX" system in favour of a simpler process that converts TeX to PDF. arXiv says you must carefully check the resulting PDF and will be required to view it during submission before you can complete it.

Files to include

• All your .tex files and any custom style or class files your paper needs.
• Figures. arXiv says that if you use PDFLaTeX, figures must be .pdf, .jpg or .png; if you use plain (La)TeX, figures must be .ps or .eps.
• Your .bbl file. Processed BibTeX (.bbl) files are an exception to the rule that intermediate files shouldn't be uploaded. The .bbl name must match your main .tex file name. If you use biblatex, don't mix a .bbl produced by Biber with one expected from BibTeX, or vice versa.
• Ancillary files (optional). Code, data or extra images can go in a directory named anc at the root of your .tar.gz or .zip package. arXiv notes ancillary files are only supported with TeX/PDFLaTeX submissions, not PDF-only ones.

Before you upload

• Compile from a clean folder containing only the files you plan to upload.
• Remove unused figures and auxiliary files.
• Check arXiv's "Common mistakes" page; it lists frequent causes of failed processing.
• After upload, the submission page shows whether compilation succeeded and the log. Read the log, and look at every page of the preview PDF.

Submitting a PDF

If your paper was not produced with TeX, you'll submit a PDF. arXiv's requirements include:

• One PDF file only, containing all text and figures. arXiv does not permit multiple PDFs, or a PDF combined with other file types.
• Fonts: include all standard and non-standard fonts, and use outline (TrueType/Type1) rather than bitmap (Type3) fonts.
• No embedded JavaScript, animations, movies or HTML. arXiv says submissions with embedded JavaScript are automatically rejected for security reasons.
• No scanned documents, in any format. Scans also prevent machine-readable text extraction.

arXiv's PDF page includes step-by-step guidance for exporting a PDF from Microsoft Word, including choosing the option described as best for electronic distribution and accessibility.

File size

arXiv has size limits and a dedicated Oversized Submissions page describing how to slim down figures and when to contact arXiv about an exception. We are deliberately not quoting a number here, because limits can change. Common fixes include compressing images, using vector graphics sensibly, and removing unused files.

Bilingual papers

If your paper includes a non-English version, the English version must be complete and should come first. See English-language requirement.

A pre-flight checklist

1. Right format: TeX source for TeX papers, single PDF otherwise.
2. Figures in the formats your TeX engine expects.
3. .bbl included and correctly named (TeX).
4. Fonts embedded as outline fonts (PDF).
5. No scans, no embedded scripts or media.
6. Preview PDF checked page by page.
7. LicenseLicenseThe permission you choose when submitting, which says how others may reuse your paper (for example, a Creative Commons license). arXiv treats each version's license as irrevocable. decided in advance (see Licenses on arXiv).

Reviewers on ResearchGuild can also look at your compiled draft and point out anything that looks broken before you submit. Start a paper when you're ready.