This paper proposes a family of modulation strategies for PWM three-level (TL) converters. The modulation strategies can be classified into two kinds according to the turn-off sequence of the two switches of the pair of switches. The concept of the leading switches and the lagging switches is introduced to realize soft-switching for PWM TL converters. The realization of soft-switching for both the leading switches and the lagging switches is proposed, based on which, soft-switching PWM TL converters can be classified into two kinds: zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) and zero-voltage and zero-current-switching (ZVZCS), for which the suitable modulation strategies are pointed out respectively from the family of modulation strategies. A novel ZVZCS TL converter is proposed, its operation principle and parameter design are analyzed, and the experimental results are included also.