OCR PDF Online Free - Make Scanned PDFs Searchable

Every PDF tool you need. Your files stay on your device by default.

Merge, split, compress, sign, crop, convert and polish PDFs right here in your browser. Most PDF sites upload your files to their servers. This one does the work on your own device by default, so contracts, statements and family documents stay exactly where they belong: with you.

100% private, nothing uploaded No sign-up No artificial limits Free, works on phone and computer

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41 tools, all free

Built differently: files stay in your hands by default

On most PDF websites, your document is uploaded to a company server, processed there, and kept for a while before deletion. Here, the tools run as code inside your own browser tab. You can even turn off your internet after this page loads and every tool still works. Because the work happens on your device, very large files may be slow or run out of memory on a phone - a computer handles those best. The one exception is yours to choose: Compress PDF offers an optional Fast server for very large files - uploaded over an encrypted connection and automatically deleted when the job completes.

Nothing is uploaded

Your PDF is read and rewritten by your own device. No server ever sees it, stores it, or scans it.

Fast, with no queue

No upload wait, no processing line and no daily cap. There are no artificial limits - processing runs on your device, so very big files work best on a computer and finish as fast as your device can work.

No accounts, ever

There is nothing to join and no email to hand over. Open a tool, drop your file, download the result.

How it works

Step 1

Choose a tool

Pick what you want to do from the cards above, or search for it.

Step 2

Drop your file

Drag a file in, or tap to browse. Adjust the simple options if you like.

Step 3

Download the result

Your device does the work in seconds - or, for a very large PDF, the optional Fast server does it and deletes the file right after. One big download button, and you are done.

Drag and drop your file here

Your file stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded.

Tap the X on any page to leave it out of the new file. Use the arrows to change the page order. Pages left in full colour are the ones that will be kept.

Drag on the page to draw a black box. Draw as many as you need, on as many pages as you need.

Options

Working

This PDF cannot reach that target in one file

Your file is ready

Download

OCR PDF - make scanned PDFs searchable

Scanned PDFs are pictures of pages, so you cannot search, select or copy their words. This tool reads the text in the scan and adds a text layer to the PDF, so the pages look the same but become searchable, selectable and copyable. It works in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, on documents up to 200 pages. Accuracy depends on scan quality - clear, straight, high-contrast scans give the best results. Unlike most tools on this site, OCR runs on our Fast server: your file is uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on the server, and deleted automatically - the original as soon as processing finishes, and the result right after you download it.

Common questions

Which languages does OCR support?

English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. Pick the language that matches the text in your scan for the best results.

Why are some words wrong or missing?

Accuracy depends on scan quality. Blurry, skewed, faint or handwritten text is harder to read, so a few words may come out wrong. A clearer scan usually fixes this.

Are my files uploaded?

Yes, for this tool. OCR runs on our Fast server, not in your browser. Your file is uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed on the server, and deleted automatically - the original as soon as processing finishes, and the result right after you download it.

How many pages can I OCR at once?

Up to 200 pages in one document. Very long or large scans can take a little while to process on the Fast server.

Does OCR change how my pages look?

No. The pages keep their original look - the recognised text is added as a layer so you can search, select and copy it. Your original file is deleted from the server as soon as processing finishes.

Pick a tool

Built differently: files stay in your hands by default

Nothing is uploaded

Fast, with no queue

No accounts, ever

How it works

Choose a tool

Drop your file

Download the result

Drag and drop your file here

Options

This PDF cannot reach that target in one file

Your file is ready

OCR PDF - make scanned PDFs searchable

How to do it

Common questions

Which languages does OCR support?

Why are some words wrong or missing?

Are my files uploaded?

How many pages can I OCR at once?

Does OCR change how my pages look?

Related tools

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