Extract Text from PDF Free

Extract text from scanned PDFs using OCR. Convert PDF images to searchable, copyable text. Free, browser-based.

PDF to Text
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How it works

Scanned PDFs are essentially images — the text in them can\'t be selected, copied, or searched. Our OCR-powered document scanner converts scanned PDF pages into selectable, copyable text. Upload a photo of a PDF page or a screenshot of a scanned document, and get extracted text instantly. All processing runs in your browser using Tesseract.js OCR — your documents never leave your device.

Tips

For multi-page PDFs, process one page at a time for best accuracy. Ensure the scan is straight (not rotated), well-lit, and at least 300 DPI. Dark mode documents (white text on dark background) may need inversion for optimal OCR results.

Want to learn more? Read our guide: Extract Text from Screenshot

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I extract text from a scanned PDF?

Take a screenshot or photo of the PDF page you want to extract text from, then upload it to our document scanner. The OCR engine recognizes printed text and outputs it as copyable, selectable text.

Does this work with handwritten PDFs?

OCR accuracy for handwriting is lower than for printed text. Clear, consistent handwriting works best. Very messy or stylized handwriting may not be recognized accurately.

Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

No. Our OCR runs entirely in your browser using Tesseract.js. Your document images are processed locally and never sent to any server, making this safe for sensitive or confidential documents.

What languages are supported?

Our OCR supports 15+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hindi, and more. Select the appropriate language before scanning for best results.
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