OCR a Scanned PDF Online
Upload a scanned PDF, run local OCR, then search within your session or export a copy with a searchable text layer.
Drag and drop a PDF file here
or
Files are processed in your browser and are not uploaded to our servers.
When to use OCR PDF
Use this when a PDF is a scan or photo of a document and its text can't be selected or searched. Running OCR first is also the prerequisite for using Search PDF on that same file.
How to OCR a Scanned PDF
- Select a scanned or image-based PDF.
- Choose the document language, if more than one is available.
- Run OCR — it processes locally in your browser.
- Review or search the recognized text, then export a searchable copy.
What this tool changes
- Adds a hidden, searchable text layer behind the existing scanned page images (when exporting a searchable copy).
What it preserves
- The visible page images are unchanged.
Good to know
- OCR accuracy is reduced for low-resolution scans, handwriting, rotated pages, mixed languages, complex tables, and decorative fonts.
- Initial language support is English; additional languages are added only once verified reliable.
- OCR runs entirely on your device, so processing time depends on your hardware.
Frequently asked questions
- Is OCR perfectly accurate?
- No OCR engine is perfect. Recognition quality depends heavily on scan resolution, font, and layout. Always review recognized text for anything important.
- Where does OCR processing happen?
- Locally, in a background worker in your browser. Page images are never uploaded.
- Can I cancel OCR partway through?
- Yes — cancelling stops the worker and keeps whatever pages were already recognized.