OCR: make a PDF searchable online for free

A scanned document is just a picture of text: you can't search it, copy a sentence from it or let a screen reader read it aloud. This tool runs optical character recognition to turn scans and photos into a searchable PDF or a plain TXT file. Find a reference number in a long scanned contract, or copy an address from an old letter in seconds.

Pick the document's language before you start for better results; French, English, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German and more are available. OCR runs on our servers, then your file is deleted automatically and the result waits behind a temporary download link. Page limits for your plan are shown before you upload.

Need cleaner output, with headings, lists and tables rebuilt properly? AI and Pro subscribers can switch to our smart OCR, powered by the assistant, for structured text you can edit straight away. It starts with a free trial on a verified account and is counted in AI pages, while the classic OCR described above never involves any AI. Both are useful; pick the one that matches the quality you need.

Frequently asked questions

Which languages can the OCR recognize?

Several, including French, English, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and German. Choose the right language before processing for the best accuracy.

What output formats do I get?

A searchable PDF that looks like the original, or a TXT file containing only the recognized text.

Does OCR work on photos from my phone?

Yes. You can upload JPG, PNG or WebP images as well as scanned PDFs. A sharp, well-lit photo gives the best result.

What is the difference with smart OCR?

Classic OCR recognizes the text as it is. Smart OCR, for AI and Pro subscribers, also corrects and structures it into headings, lists and tables.

How it works

Related tools

Frequently asked questions