Certificate maker
Certificate maker for sports days, school, clubs or parties: fill in the template, paste the names, print. Your list of names stays in your browser.
Source: ISO 216:2007 – Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter – Trimmed sizes – A and B series (A4 = 210 × 297 mm). Updated: .
How it is calculated
In short: This generator creates print-ready certificates as PDF – with a heading, reason, place and date, and signature lines. Paste a list of names and each name gets its own page; if you like, every certificate is also available as a separate PDF file in a ZIP. Everything runs in your browser and the names are never uploaded.
How it works
- Enter the heading, the line above the name and the reason – for example “Certificate of Achievement”, “awarded to”, “for first place in the fun run”.
- Optionally add place and date and the titles under the signature lines (such as “Principal”).
- Paste the names, one per line – for example copied from a spreadsheet.
- Click “Create PDF” for one document with all certificates, or “Single files as ZIP” for one file per person, e.g. to send by email.
Background: size and printing
Certificates are exactly US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) or A4 (210 × 297 mm, ISO 216), in landscape by default. Long names and texts shrink automatically to fit the width. When printing, choose “Actual size” or 100% so the border isn’t cut off; heavier paper (around 60 lb cover) looks more premium – your printer manual says what it can handle.
Honest limits
- There is one plain typeface (Helvetica or Noto Sans) without decorative fonts, logos or images; the design comes from colour and border.
- Signatures are not inserted – the lines are meant to be signed by hand.
- Emoji and scripts other than Latin, Greek and Cyrillic (e.g. Japanese) can’t be printed in the PDF and are replaced.
Privacy
The list of names is processed only in your browser and stored nowhere; your browser only remembers the template settings.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a certificate for free?
Fill in the template, paste the names and click “Create PDF”. You can print it right away – free, no sign-up and no watermark.
Can I make certificates for a whole class or team at once?
Yes. Paste all names one below the other and the PDF contains one certificate per name. “Single files as ZIP” gives you each certificate as its own file.
Is there a free printable certificate template?
This tool is the template: pick colour and border, fill in the text and print the PDF. No Word or Canva file is needed.
What should a certificate say?
Typically a heading (Certificate of Achievement, Appreciation or Participation), the name, the reason with the achievement or placing, place and date, and one or two signatures.
Can I print a blank certificate to fill in by hand?
Yes. Leave the list of names empty and you get a certificate with an empty name line to write on.
What paper should I use for certificates?
Heavier paper or light card looks more premium. Check your printer manual for the paper weight it supports.
Sources and legal basis
- ISO 216:2007 – Writing paper and certain classes of printed matter – Trimmed sizes – A and B series (A4 = 210 × 297 mm)
- Wikipedia – Letter (paper size): 8.5 × 11 in = 215.9 × 279.4 mm (ANSI/ASME Y14.1 size A)
- NIST SP 811 – Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (1 in = 25,4 mm exakt)
- Adobe – ISO 32000-1:2008 Document management – Portable document format (PDF 1.7)
- pdf-lib – Andrew Dillon (MIT)
- PKWARE – APPNOTE.TXT (ZIP File Format Specification)
As of: · Editorial policy
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