or drop a scanned PDF or an image here · up to 95 MB
Files are deleted as soon as the text is read
Your searchable PDF is ready
How to OCR a scanned PDF
- Upload the scanned PDF. Click Select file or drop the PDF. Photos and screenshots work too.
- Choose the language and the result. Pick the language of the document, then Searchable PDF or Text.
- Download. The searchable PDF looks the same as your scan, but now you can search it with Ctrl+F and select and copy the text.
Popular uses for OCR PDF
- Make scanned contracts, bank statements and tax records searchable.
- Copy text out of a scanned PDF from your office scanner or a phone scanning app.
- Turn a scanned PDF into text you can paste into Word, Google Docs or an email.
- Make old paper documents easier to find on Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox.
Searchable PDF or plain text?
Searchable PDF keeps every page exactly as scanned and adds an invisible text layer on top, so the document looks the same but you can search, select and copy the words, and screen readers can read it. It is the best choice for contracts, statements and records you keep. Text gives you only the words, ready to paste and edit; to rebuild a Word document, paste it into Word or use PDF to DOCX on the searchable PDF.
Good scans give good text
- Scan at 300 dpi in black and white or grayscale.
- Keep the pages straight and the text dark and sharp.
- Choose the language the document is written in.
- Up to the first 20 pages of a PDF are read at a time; split longer files with Split PDF.
Your documents stay private
The PDF is processed over an encrypted connection and deleted as soon as the result is ready. We do not keep, read or share your documents. A PDF with a password must be unlocked first with Unlock PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?
Upload the PDF here, choose Searchable PDF and download the result. It looks the same as before, but you can now search it and copy the text.
Is OCR PDF free?
Yes. It is free, with no sign-up and no watermark on the PDF.
How do I know if my PDF needs OCR?
Open it and try to select a word or search with Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on a Mac). If nothing is found or you can only select the whole page as a picture, it is a scan and needs OCR.
How many pages can I OCR?
The first 20 pages of a PDF are read at a time. Split longer PDFs into parts with Split PDF and run each part.
Will the searchable PDF look different?
No. Each page keeps the look of the scan; the recognised text is added as an invisible layer underneath.
Can I convert a scanned PDF to Word?
Yes. Make it searchable here first, then convert the searchable PDF with PDF to DOCX, or download the text and paste it into Word.