OCR PDF
Convert scanned PDF pages to editable, searchable text — extract text from any scanned document, image-only PDF, or photo of a page. Runs locally in your browser.
OCR accuracy depends on image quality. For best results, use clear scans at 300 DPI or higher. Handwritten text and stylized fonts may have lower accuracy.
Drag & drop a scanned PDF here, or click to browse
Select PDF File
Maximum file size: 128 MB
All processing happens locally in your browser. Your file is never uploaded.
OCR PDF — Extract Text from Scanned PDFs, Free & Private
OCR PDF turns scanned documents, image-only PDFs, and photos of pages into editable, searchable text — right in your browser. Choose plain text, a searchable PDF with a hidden text layer, or both. No upload, no sign-up, and the OCR model is cached locally so it loads instantly on the second run.
100% FreeNo UploadNo Sign-upNo Upload
How to Use
- Upload: Drop your scanned PDF or click to browse.
- Configure: Choose the recognition language, output format (text / searchable PDF / ZIP), and optionally limit to specific pages.
- Run OCR: Click Start OCR — the OCR model loads once, then each page is rendered and recognized locally in your browser.
- Download: Save the .txt, searchable .pdf, or ZIP bundle of recognized text from every page.
Why Choose This Tool
- 100% Local Processing: Files are processed entirely in your browser using JavaScript — never uploaded to any server.
- No Limits: No file count or file size restrictions. Process as many files as your device can handle.
- No Sign-up: Free forever, no account needed, no email required. Open the page and start.
- Private by Design: Nothing is sent to any server. Close the tab and your files are gone forever.
How We Stack Up
| Feature | Ours | SmallPDF | iLovePDF | Adobe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs entirely in browser | Yes — no upload, no server | No | No | No |
| Multi-language OCR | Yes — 6 languages, more on roadmap | Limited (English only on free tier) | Limited (English only) | Yes (paid) |
| Searchable PDF output | Yes — image + invisible text layer | Paid | Paid | Yes |
| Plain text output | Yes — free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Offline after first load | Yes — model cached in IndexedDB | No | No | Partial |
| Cost | Free, unlimited | Free tier (2 tasks/day) | Free tier (limited) | $19.99/mo |
Common Questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The entire OCR pipeline runs locally in your browser using WebAssembly and Tesseract.js. Your file never leaves your device, and the OCR model is cached in IndexedDB after the first download — you can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the tool will still work fully offline.
How accurate is the OCR?
Accuracy depends on the quality of the input scan. For best results, use clear scans at 300 DPI or higher. Text typed in standard fonts is usually recognized at 95% or higher; stylized fonts, handwriting, low-resolution scans, and noisy backgrounds reduce accuracy. You can always review and correct the output before using it.
What languages are supported?
Six common languages are available: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. Each language model is ~10-15 MB and is downloaded only the first time you use it; subsequent runs load from your local cache in seconds.
What is a searchable PDF?
A searchable PDF keeps the visual appearance of the original scanned pages (rendered as page images) and adds an invisible text layer on top. You can search, copy, and select the text in any PDF reader, while the document still looks exactly like the scanned original. It's a standard PDF — no special software needed to open it.
Why is the OCR model so large?
Tesseract OCR models are neural networks trained to recognize characters in many fonts and styles. The English model is ~12 MB; Chinese models are ~15 MB. We download the model only for the language you choose, and we cache it locally so the cost is paid once, not on every visit.
What if my PDF is password-protected?
You'll be prompted for the password. Decryption happens locally in your browser and the password is never sent to any server. After unlocking, OCR proceeds normally on the decrypted pages.
Why doesn't the recognized text match the original layout?
OCR recovers the text content but does not preserve the exact visual layout, fonts, or styling of the original document. For most use cases — searching, copying, editing, or feeding into another tool — this is the right trade-off. If you need pixel-perfect layout, convert the PDF to a Word document with a dedicated layout-preserving tool instead.
Is the tool really free?
Yes. There is no charge, no sign-up, no watermark, and no limit on the number of pages. The tool is supported by non-intrusive advertising on the surrounding pages.