OCR a Scanned PDF Free: Make It Searchable Online

This free PDF to OCR converter reads scanned or image-only PDFs with on-device optical character recognition. You get extracted plain text and a searchable PDF with an invisible text layer so Find and copy work in any reader. If you can already select text in the original, use PDF to Text instead - OCR is for pages that are pictures of text. Files up to 15 MB and 15 pages are supported. Nothing is uploaded.

Key benefits

• Extracts text from scanned PDFs that have no text layer.
• Rebuilds a searchable PDF so Find works in Acrobat, Preview and Chrome.
• Runs on your device - private for contracts and IDs.
• Same OCR engine as OCR Image to Text for consistent quality.
• Validates PDF type, size and page count before processing.
• Free, no account and no watermark.
• Up to 15 MB and 15 pages.

How to use it, step by step

1. Add a scanned PDF (max 15 MB, 15 pages). Drop the file in or browse. Image-only or scanned pages convert best.
2. Convert to OCR. Pages are rendered, then recognised with Tesseract entirely in your browser.
3. Download results. Get a .txt of all pages, and optionally a searchable PDF with the OCR layer.
4. Proofread. Check figures, names and unusual words against the scan.

Common use cases

• Making an old scanned contract searchable.
• Copying text out of a camera-scanned PDF.
• Preparing archives so documents can be found by keyword.
• Turning fax-style PDF dumps into usable text.
• Converting a scan pack into both .txt and a searchable PDF.

Pro tips

• If text is already selectable, skip OCR and use PDF to Text.
• Split PDFs over 15 pages first for reliable runs.
• Higher-quality scans OCR better - re-scan if the file is tiny or muddy.
• Unlock password-protected PDFs before converting.
• For loose photos instead of a PDF, use OCR to PDF.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Running OCR on a digital PDF that already has a text layer.
• Expecting perfect handwriting recognition.
• Sending a password-protected PDF without unlocking it first.
• Trying a 200-page scan in one go - split it.
• Uploading a renamed non-PDF file - the tool rejects invalid files.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a PDF to OCR?

Add a scanned PDF up to 15 MB (max 15 pages) and convert. Download the extracted text and, if you choose, a searchable PDF.

Is this PDF to OCR converter free?

Yes. No account, trial limit or watermark.

Does my PDF get uploaded?

No. Rendering and OCR run entirely in your browser.

What is the difference between PDF to OCR and PDF to Text?

PDF to Text copies an existing text layer. PDF to OCR recognises characters from page images when there is no text layer.

Will I get a searchable PDF?

Yes if you choose OCR + searchable PDF. The download keeps the page look and adds an invisible text layer.

What is the maximum file size and page count?

15 MB and 15 pages. Use Split PDF for larger files.

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Ready to get started? Open the PDF to OCR and try it now - completely free.