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OCR PDF

Add a searchable text layer to image-only PDF pages using local English OCR. Review important names, dates, and numbers because recognition is best-effort.

or drop the file here

Up to 50 MiB per PDF

English OCR · up to 25 pages

Files remain in your browser No file upload No account required

How to Run OCR

  1. Choose one readable PDF.
  2. Review the available settings and start local processing.
  3. Review the result and download the .pdf file.

Browser processing questions

Is my file uploaded?

No. Input files and generated results remain in this browser.

Do I need to install software?

No. The tool runs from the deployed website in a modern browser.

Will every document convert perfectly?

OCR is best-effort and currently supports English. Always verify names, numbers, and important text.

Need another document task? Browse all working tools.

About this tool

Add a searchable text layer to scanned pages

OCR PDF reads printed English text from rendered pages and places recognized text into a new searchable PDF. Recognition runs locally after the language data loads from this site.

Useful for

  • Search within image-only scans.
  • Copy text from printed forms or notes.
  • Improve document discovery without sending pages to an OCR service.

Good to know

  • English printed text is the current supported language and style.
  • Handwriting, tables, low contrast, and curved pages can reduce accuracy.
  • Names, dates, amounts, and other important text must be checked.
Practical guidance

Use OCR to make scanned PDF text searchable

OCR PDF is for pages that look like text but behave like images. It recognizes printed English characters in scanned pages and adds a searchable text layer locally. The result can support searching and copying, but OCR is best-effort and important values must always be checked.

Convert a scanned PDF into searchable PDF

Each page is rendered for recognition and the detected English text is added to a new PDF. This can make image-only scans easier to search and reuse.

Prepare OCR text for Word or TXT workflows

After OCR, use PDF to Text or PDF to Word when reusable text is the main goal. Complex layouts, columns, and tables can still require manual correction.

Improve OCR accuracy before processing

Straight pages, clear printed characters, good contrast, and adequate resolution help recognition. Handwriting, shadows, curved pages, and blurred photographs reduce accuracy.

Questions people ask about this task

Can I OCR a PDF online for free?

Yes. The current tool recognizes supported printed English text locally without requiring an account.

Does OCR PDF convert directly to Word?

OCR creates a searchable PDF. Open that result in PDF to Word when an editable DOCX file is also needed.

Can OCR read handwriting or every language?

No. The current workflow is designed for printed English text. Handwriting and other languages are not reliable supported inputs.