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This file stays on this device.
No watermarksOCR PDF
Make a scanned PDF searchable. Recognition runs in your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
How to OCR a PDF
- Choose a scanned PDF, or drop it into the tool.
- Pick the language that matches the document.
- Click Make searchable. Recognition runs locally in your browser.
- Download the searchable PDF. Invisible text is added so you can find and copy words.
Features
Private
Pages are read in your browser. We do not upload the PDF to run OCR.
Searchable output
The original pages stay as they are. We add an invisible text layer you can search and copy.
Free to start
5 free jobs a day. Upgrade to Pro for larger files and more daily jobs.
Files deleted
This tool does not store your PDF on our servers. Other server tools delete files after 60 minutes.
Easy to use
Upload, choose a language, and download. No extra software to install.
Works in the browser
Use it from any modern browser on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
When to use OCR PDF
PDF to TXT only works when the file already contains real text. Scanned documents are pictures of pages, so search and copy fail until you run OCR.
This tool renders each page, reads the words, and writes them back as invisible text on the same PDF. You keep the original look and gain search.
OCR is limited to 20 pages per file so your browser stays responsive. For longer scans, split the PDF first or upgrade if you need larger daily volume.
Questions
Does the scanned PDF get uploaded?
No. OCR runs in your browser. The file stays on this device.
How many pages can one OCR job handle?
20 pages per file. Split a longer scan, then run OCR on each part.
How much does OCR cost?
5 jobs a day and files up to 25 MB are free. A $5 day pass is 100 jobs and 200 MB files for 24 hours. Pro is $9 a month or $69 a year.
Is OCR the same as PDF to Excel?
No. OCR makes the PDF searchable. PDF to Excel, Invoice to Excel, and Bank statement to Excel turn tables into a spreadsheet.