Run OCR on a scanned PDF
Make scanned PDFs searchable with OCR. Extract text from images and scanned documents.
Fast answer
Use OCR PDF when the file is a scan or image-based PDF and you need searchable or extractable text from it.
What this tool is best for
- Making scanned PDFs searchable before archiving or review.
- Recovering text from photographed or scanned document pages.
- Preparing a scan for export into other formats after recognition.
Inputs and outputs
Inputs
- A scanned or image-based PDF file.
Outputs
- A PDF or text-ready result with recognized content, depending on the specific flow.
Sobre esta ferramenta
OCR PDF uses Optical Character Recognition to extract text from scanned documents and images within PDFs. Convert image-based PDFs into searchable, selectable text documents.
Support for multiple languages ensures accurate text recognition regardless of the document's language. The original layout is preserved while adding a searchable text layer.
All OCR processing happens in your browser, ensuring your documents remain private.
Como usar
Upload Scanned PDF
Drag and drop your scanned PDF or click to select.
Select Language
Choose the document language for accurate recognition.
Process and Download
Click Process to run OCR and download the searchable PDF.
Casos de uso
Digitize Archives
Make scanned document archives searchable.
Document Search
Enable text search in scanned documents.
Text Extraction
Extract text from scanned documents for editing.
When to use this instead of a related tool
Pdf To Docx
Use Ocr Pdf when the job is narrower or more direct than Pdf To Docx. Switch to Pdf To Docx if your problem is actually about its broader workflow or output.
Compare with Pdf To DocxRepair Pdf
Use Ocr Pdf when the job is narrower or more direct than Repair Pdf. Switch to Repair Pdf if your problem is actually about its broader workflow or output.
Compare with Repair PdfLimitations and edge cases
- Poor scan quality, handwriting, or unusual layouts can reduce OCR accuracy.
- If the PDF already contains selectable text, OCR may be unnecessary.
Examples
Make an old scan searchable
Input
archive-scan.pdf
Output
archive-scan-searchable.pdf
Recover text from a photographed form
Input
phone-scan.pdf
Output
recognized-text-ready result
Task pathways
Where this fits in pdf workflows
Organize and manage PDF pages hub
Choose the closest task in this PDF category before switching tools.
Go to Organize and manage PDF pages hubBuild a multi-step PDF workflow
Chain adjacent PDF actions when one tool is only part of the job.
Go to Build a multi-step PDF workflowBrowse all browser PDF tools
Scan every live PDF utility and route to the right next action.
Go to Browse all browser PDF toolsPerguntas frequentes
What languages are supported?
Over 100 languages are supported including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and more.
Will the original layout be preserved?
Yes, the original visual layout is preserved with a searchable text layer added.
How accurate is the OCR?
Accuracy depends on scan quality but typically exceeds 95% for clear documents.
Ferramentas relacionadas
If your problem is not exactly a ocr pdf job, these adjacent tools are the closest next paths.