OCR PDF — Extract Text From Scanned Documents
Convert scanned pages into selectable, copy-pasteable English text with browser-based OCR. Great for digitizing paper archives, receipts, and old contracts.
OCR PDF
Extract text from scanned PDFs (English)
First run downloads the OCR engine (~10 MB). Everything stays in your browser.
About the OCR PDF tool
The OCR engine runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. That means sensitive scans stay on your device while still becoming searchable text.
OCR quality depends on your original scan — the sharper and straighter your input, the better the recognized text.
Key features of OCR PDF
- In-browser English OCR (WebAssembly)
- Extract text you can copy, search and paste
- Handles multi-page scanned PDFs
- No uploads to any server
- Free and unlimited
How to use OCR PDF
- Upload a scanned PDF.
- Wait while OCR processes each page.
- Copy the extracted text or download it.
Common use cases
- Digitize paper contracts and invoices
- Search old scanned reports for keywords
- Extract quotes from photographed book pages
- Convert scanned handouts to editable notes
- Feed scanned data into spreadsheets
Frequently asked questions
Which languages does the OCR support?
This tool currently supports English. For other languages, use a dedicated multi-language OCR service.
Why is OCR sometimes inaccurate?
OCR accuracy depends on scan quality — clear, high-contrast, straight scans give the best results. Blurry or skewed pages reduce accuracy.
Is this tool safe to use with confidential files?
Yes. Every file is processed locally inside your web browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly. Nothing is uploaded to a server, stored, or shared — so contracts, invoices, medical records and personal documents stay 100% private on your device.
Is it really free? Are there any limits or watermarks?
Yes, it's completely free with no sign-up, no daily limits, and no watermarks stamped on your output. Process a single file or hundreds — the only limit is your device's memory.