OCR PDF
Recognize text in scans so you can search, select and copy it.
- No upload, ever
- Works offline
- Free to start
- No file-size limit
How it works
- Choose a scanned PDF or image.
- Select Recognize text. The first time, your browser loads the English text model (about 10 MB) from this site.
- Download the searchable PDF, or copy the recognized text.
Private by design
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server, and the page is technically blocked from sending them anywhere.
Questions and answers
Is OCR done on a server?
No. Text recognition runs in your browser, on your device. The first time, your browser loads the English text model (about 10 MB) from this site; your pages are never uploaded.
Which languages does it recognize?
English only for now. Text in other languages may be recognized poorly or not at all.
Will my PDF look different?
No. The recognized text is laid invisibly over each page, so the pages look the same, but you can now search, select and copy the text.
Can I use photos or scanned images instead of a PDF?
Yes. Select Choose images under the file picker. The images are combined into one searchable PDF.
How accurate is it?
It depends on the scan. Clear, upright pages in good light give the best results, so check important text before you rely on it.
Why does it take a while?
Each page is recognized on your own device, so the speed depends on its processor. Long documents take longer, and you can follow the progress page by page.
Guides
- How to check if a PDF website uploads your filesA step-by-step method to see whether an online PDF tool sends your files to a server, using your browser's developer tools, offline mode and the CSP.
- How to turn a scanned PDF into searchable textWhat OCR is, how to prepare scans for accurate text recognition, and how to make a scanned PDF searchable on your own device without uploading it.
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