Make scanned PDF pages searchable with OCR
Recognize printed text on scanned PDF pages and add a searchable text layer while keeping the page images visible.
- 1 free task a day, no account needed
- No watermarks
- Encrypted in transit
- Deleted automatically
OCR PDF online, free
Run optical character recognition on an image-based PDF to add searchable, selectable text while retaining the visible scan. This helps people working with scanned contracts, receipts and records; recognition accuracy depends on the legibility and orientation of the original.
Good for: searching scanned archives, copying text from receipts, indexing paper records.
- Search inside scans
- Keep the page appearance
- Copy recognized text
Search inside scans
Find words in documents that were previously just page images.
Keep the page appearance
The original scanned imagery remains visible beneath the recognized text layer.
Copy recognized text
Select text from a processed scan for reuse or further conversion.
Works on any device
OCR PDF runs in the browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. Nothing to install.
How to make scanned PDF pages searchable with OCR
- 1
Upload a scanned PDF.
- 2
Run OCR to recognize the printed text.
- 3
Download the searchable PDF and inspect uncertain characters.
Limits and formats
- Input
- Output
- Files per run
- One file
- Max file size
- 25 MB for guests; free account 50 MB, Premium 500 MB
- Kept for
- 1 hour, then deleted
- Account
- Not required
Frequently asked questions
Will OCR change how my scanned PDF looks?
The visible scanned page remains; OCR adds a text layer used for searching and selection.
Can it recognize handwriting perfectly?
No. Handwriting, faint ink, angled scans and unusual typefaces can produce mistakes; proofread important content.
Can I turn the result into a Word file?
Yes. Run OCR first, then use PDF to Word to extract the resulting text, accepting that complex layout will not be exact.
What is the free file size limit?
Guests can upload files up to 25 MB each. A free account raises the limit to 50 MB per file, and Premium allows 500 MB per file with larger batches.
Are uploaded documents private?
Files are encrypted in transit and automatically deleted after a short time following processing.
Anything missing? Read how files are handled or write to support.
Related PDF tools
Tools people use before or after OCR PDF.
- PDF to TextNewExtract text-based PDF content to a TXT file with layout choices.
- PDF to WordMove text from a PDF into an editable DOCX for revisions and reuse.
- PDF to MarkdownNewGet editable Markdown from PDF text with inferred headings and lists.
- PDF to HTMLNewExport PDF pages as a standalone HTML file with optional inline images.
- Compress PDFReduce PDF file size for easier email attachments and uploads.
- PDF to JPGExport PDF pages as compact JPG images with resolution and quality controls.
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