For iText 7, you need a specific set of modules. Click on the following artifacts and select the latest version (e.g., 8.x or
public class HelloPdf public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception Document document = new Document(); PdfWriter.getInstance(document, new FileOutputStream("hello.pdf")); document.open(); document.add(new Paragraph("Hello World! iText JAR works.")); document.close(); System.out.println("PDF created successfully.");
With a sigh, Arjun clicked the download. The JAR landed in his ~/Downloads folder like a stone dropping into still water—10.2 MB of pure potential.
: Older versions like iText 5 and early iText 7 releases can still be found on SourceForge . Choosing the Right Version: iText 5 vs. iText 7/9
Version 7 and 8 allow you to include only the JARs you need (e.g., core, barcodes, forms).
Used by major healthcare and financial institutions for massive document generation. ❌ The Bad (Cons) Where and how to download iText PDF and add-ons
To download the iText JAR files for Java, you must first choose between iText 7/8+ (Core) , the modern modular version, or , the legacy "all-in-one" version Download Options
If after reading about AGPL and commercial licensing you decide iText 7 is not for you, consider these open-source Java PDF libraries:
This article provides everything you need to know about downloading the correct iText JAR files for Java, understanding licensing, setting up dependencies manually or with build tools, and avoiding common pitfalls.
Use Maven or Gradle to handle your iText JAR download. It is safer, automated, and far easier to manage than manual JAR collection.
iText 7 is a complete rewrite of the library. It is designed to be more modular, easier to use, and more capable of handling complex PDF standards (like PDF/UA for accessibility). It uses the package com.itextpdf.kernel.pdf .
: For developers using build tools, iText is available on the Maven Central Repository . This is the recommended method as it automatically handles all required dependencies.
For modern projects, using a build tool like Maven or Gradle is highly recommended as it automatically handles complex dependencies. iText Knowledge Base 1. Automated Download (Maven/Gradle) Add the following to your to download the entire core suite: iText Knowledge Base dependency >com.itextpdfitext7-core