OCR PDF

Make a scanned PDF searchable and copyable.

Your files are processed on your device and are never uploaded.

Make a scanned PDF searchable and copyable. OCR (optical character recognition) reads the text in each page image and adds an invisible text layer behind it. The pages look exactly the same, but now you can search with Ctrl+F, select and copy text, and let other tools read the document.

How to OCR a PDF

Choose your scanned PDF.
Choose the document language – English, Hindi, English + Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu and many more.
Pick the pages and the scan quality: Fast or Accurate.
Keep "Skip pages that already have text" ticked to save time on mixed documents.
Click Make searchable PDF and download.

The language data (a few MB) downloads once the first time you use a language. After that, recognition starts straight away.

Why OCR a Scan?

Search: Find a name or a number in a long scanned document instantly.
Copy: Take text from a scanned letter or certificate without retyping it.
Convert: Get better results from PDF to Word, PDF to Excel and PDF to EPUB.
Accessibility: Screen readers can read the document aloud.
Archives: Make years of scanned records findable.

Tips for Accurate Recognition

Pick the right language – it matters more than anything else. Use English + Hindi for mixed documents.
Scan at 300 DPI if you can. Low-resolution phone photos give more mistakes.
Straighten and clean up first: Rotate sideways pages with Rotate PDF and brighten faded scans with PDF Contrast Editor.
Choose Accurate for small print, tables and old documents.

Handwriting is hard for any OCR – printed text gives far better results.

Free and Private

Recognition runs on your own device, so even confidential scans are never uploaded. Want only the text? Use PDF to Text.

PDF to Text PDF to Word PDF Contrast Editor Image to Text (OCR) Count Words in PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?

Choose the PDF, select the document language and click Make searchable PDF. The pages look the same, but now contain searchable text.

Does OCR change how my PDF looks?

No. An invisible text layer is added behind each page image.

Does it support Hindi and other Indian languages?

Yes – Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi and Urdu, plus English + Hindi for mixed documents.

Why is the OCR result inaccurate?

Check the language setting, use Accurate mode, and make sure pages are upright and clear. Low-resolution and faded scans give more errors.

Why does it take a while the first time?

The language data (a few MB) downloads once. After that, it is ready immediately.

Is my scan uploaded?

No. OCR runs in your browser.

Is OCR PDF free to use?

Yes. OCR PDF is completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many times you use it.

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Your files are processed directly in your web browser on your own device. Nothing is uploaded or stored, and the file is gone from memory when you close the tab.

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