Common use cases
- Make scanned contracts, notes, receipts, and forms searchable.
- Copy text from image-based PDFs into other documents.
- Prepare scanned files before converting to Word or Excel.
OCR PDF - Make Text Selectable
Convert scanned PDFs and images into searchable, selectable text
Upload from cloud storage:
Select the language of your document for better accuracy
Original document with selectable text overlay
🔍 Why Use OCR on PDFs?
📝 Make Text Searchable
Convert scanned documents and image-based PDFs into searchable, selectable text.
✏️ Enable Editing
Transform scanned forms and contracts into editable documents you can modify.
📋 Copy Content
Extract text from scanned documents to copy quotes, data, or information easily.
🔎 Improve Searchability
Make document archives searchable by adding text layers to scanned PDFs.
💡 OCR Best Practices
Use High Quality Scans
300 DPI or higher scans produce better OCR results. Low resolution reduces accuracy.
Clean Documents Help
Remove stains, shadows, and creases from scans for optimal text recognition.
Choose Correct Language
Select the document language for better character recognition accuracy.
Review Results
Always review OCR output for errors, especially with unusual fonts or poor quality scans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What languages are supported?
We support over 30 languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Arabic.
How accurate is the OCR?
Accuracy depends on scan quality. Good quality scans achieve 98%+ accuracy. Poor scans may have errors.
Can I OCR handwritten text?
Basic handwriting recognition is available for Pro users, but accuracy is lower than printed text.
Will formatting be preserved?
We preserve basic layout like paragraphs and columns. Complex formatting may need adjustment.
Tool guide
OCR PDF guide, use cases, and best practices
OCR PDF makes scanned documents easier to search, copy, and reuse by detecting text inside page images.
Best practices
- Use clear scans with straight pages and good contrast.
- Choose the correct document language when available.
- Proofread OCR output when using it for legal, financial, or academic work.
Frequently asked questions
Is the OCR PDF free to use?
Yes. The core OCR PDF workflow is available from the browser without installing software. Some higher-volume or larger-file tasks may require a paid plan.
Do I need to create an account?
Most tools can be used without an account. Signing in is only needed for account features, subscriptions, or workflows that require saved access.
What happens to uploaded files?
Files are used only to complete the requested conversion or edit. Browser-based tools process locally where possible, and server-processed files are handled through encrypted requests.