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PDF OCR Converter

Extract text from scanned PDFs using optical character recognition (OCR) technology for free. Convert image-based PDFs to searchable, editable documents online without any software installation.

Start OCR Text Recognition

Powerful OCR Technology

Advanced optical character recognition extracts text from scanned documents, photos, and image-based PDFs with high accuracy.

Secure & Private

Your files are processed securely and deleted automatically after conversion. We use enterprise-grade encryption for all transfers.

Works Everywhere

100% web-based tool that works on any device with a browser. No software installation or registration required.

Why Use PDF OCR?

PDF OCR (Optical Character Recognition) converts scanned documents and image-based PDFs into searchable, editable text. Transform paper documents, photos, and screenshots into digital text you can search, copy, edit, and process. Perfect for digitizing archives, extracting text from receipts, converting scanned books, and making image-based PDFs fully searchable. OCR technology recognizes text in multiple languages and preserves document formatting while adding a searchable text layer to your PDFs.

How Does PDF OCR Work?

Our PDF OCR tool uses advanced optical character recognition algorithms to analyze images and identify text characters. The system processes scanned pages, detects text regions, recognizes individual letters and words, and creates a searchable text layer embedded in your PDF. The resulting document looks identical to the original but now includes hidden text that can be searched, copied, and indexed by search engines.

Key Features of Our PDF OCR Tool

  • High Accuracy Recognition: Advanced OCR engine achieves 95%+ accuracy on clear scans and images.
  • Multi-Language Support: Recognizes text in English, Spanish, French, German, and many other languages.
  • Searchable PDFs: Creates fully searchable PDFs where you can find any word or phrase instantly.
  • Copy & Edit Text: Extract recognized text to copy, paste, and edit in any text editor or word processor.
  • Format Preservation: Maintains original document layout, images, and formatting while adding text layer.
  • Fast Processing: Process scanned documents in seconds with our optimized OCR engine.

Step-by-Step Guide to OCR Your PDF

  1. 1
    Upload Your Scanned PDF:

    Click the "Start OCR Text Recognition" button above or drag and drop your scanned PDF, photo, or image-based document.

  2. 2
    Start OCR Processing:

    Click "Extract Text with OCR" and our advanced recognition engine will identify and extract all text from your images.

  3. 3
    Download Searchable PDF:

    Download your searchable PDF and start searching, copying, and editing the recognized text!

  4. 4
    Use Searchable PDF:

    Search for any word, copy text to your clipboard, or edit the content in any PDF editor!

Common Use Cases for PDF OCR

PDF OCR is invaluable across various applications:

  • Archive Digitization: Convert paper archives and old documents to searchable digital format for easy retrieval.
  • Receipt Processing: Extract text from scanned receipts and invoices for expense tracking and accounting.
  • Book Scanning: Transform scanned books and magazines into searchable PDFs for digital libraries.
  • Form Processing: Extract data from scanned forms and applications for automated data entry.
  • Legal Documents: Make scanned contracts and agreements searchable for quick reference and compliance.
  • Photo Documentation: Convert photos of whiteboards, notes, and documents to editable searchable text.

Benefits of Searchable PDFs

Searchable PDFs created by OCR offer significant advantages:

  • Full-Text Search: Find any word or phrase instantly without manually reading through pages.
  • Copy & Paste: Select and copy text from scanned documents just like digital-born PDFs.
  • SEO Friendly: Search engines can index the text content of OCR-processed PDFs for better discoverability.
  • Accessibility: Screen readers can access text for visually impaired users, improving document accessibility.

About Our PDF OCR Tool

Our PDF OCR tool is a professional online solution for extracting text from scanned documents and image-based PDFs. Whether you're digitizing paper archives, processing receipts, converting scanned books, or making old documents searchable, our OCR technology provides accurate text recognition. Optical character recognition transforms images into editable, searchable text while preserving the original document appearance. The resulting searchable PDFs work everywhere and can be searched, indexed by search engines, and accessed by screen readers for improved accessibility.

We've designed our OCR tool for simplicity and accuracy. No technical knowledge is required – just upload your scanned PDF and download the searchable version. The OCR engine recognizes text in multiple languages with high accuracy on clear scans. Our tool is completely web-based, requiring no software installation or app downloads. It works perfectly on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices, ensuring you can process scanned documents whenever you need. Best of all, our service is completely free with no hidden fees, registration requirements, or usage limitations.

Security and Privacy

We understand that PDF documents may contain sensitive or proprietary information. That's why we've implemented enterprise-grade security measures to protect your data. All file uploads and downloads are encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols. Your files are processed on secure servers and automatically deleted within 1 hour after conversion. We never store, share, or access your content. Our PDF to XML converter is GDPR compliant and respects your privacy at every step of the conversion process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does PDF OCR work?

Upload your scanned PDF, click "Extract Text with OCR", and our optical character recognition technology will convert images to searchable text. Download the searchable PDF to copy, search, and edit the content.

Is PDF OCR conversion free?

Yes, our PDF OCR converter is completely free with no hidden fees. You can process unlimited scanned PDFs with OCR without any subscription or registration required.

What types of PDFs work with OCR?

OCR works best with scanned documents, image-based PDFs, photos of documents, and screenshots. It recognizes text from images and makes them searchable and editable.

What languages does OCR support?

Our OCR technology supports multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, and many others. It automatically detects and recognizes text in various languages.

What happens to my files after conversion?

All uploaded files are automatically deleted from our servers within 1 hour after conversion. We prioritize your privacy and security, ensuring your documents remain confidential.

How accurate is the OCR recognition?

OCR accuracy depends on scan quality. Clear, high-resolution scans produce excellent results with 95%+ accuracy. Blurry or low-quality images may have reduced accuracy.

Can I copy text from the OCR result?

Yes, after OCR processing, the resulting searchable PDF allows you to select, copy, and paste text just like any standard PDF document.

Do I need to install software for PDF OCR?

No installation required. Our PDF OCR tool is a web-based solution that works directly in your browser. It's compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.

Is there a file size limit for OCR conversion?

You can process PDF files up to 100MB in size. This is sufficient for most scanned documents including multi-page reports and books.