Render scanned pages
PDF pages are rendered to browser canvases and passed through the OCR engine.
PDF OCR
Choose a PDF file
Processing is performed by the browser-based PDF engine.
English OCR · all pages · creates searchable PDF when possible
Choose a PDF file to begin.
Run OCR on scanned PDF pages in your browser, extract recognized text, and create a searchable PDF when possible.
Browse PDF toolsFree browser toolNo account requiredPDF → SEARCHABLE-PDF
Built around the task
Why use PDF OCR?
The page stays focused on the problem you came to solve, with the useful details directly around the tool instead of getting in your way.
Extract recognized text
The tool shows recognized English text and reports average OCR confidence when available.
Create a searchable PDF
Recognized words are added as an invisible text layer so the PDF can become searchable while retaining its original page appearance.
Three simple steps
How to use PDF OCR
Start with the document or text you already have, complete the task, and leave with a usable result.
Add PDF
Choose Files or add the content you want to work with.
Run PDF OCR
Recognize text in scanned PDFs and create a searchable PDF
Use SEARCHABLE-PDF, TEXT
Review the result, download it, or continue into a related workflow.
Recognize text in scanned PDFs and create a searchable PDF
Run OCR on scanned PDF pages in your browser, extract recognized text, and create a searchable PDF when possible.
Know what goes in and comes out
Clear file and output expectations help you choose the right tool before you start.
PDF inputSEARCHABLE-PDF outputTEXT output
A simpler way to finish the job
About PDF OCR
PDF OCR is built around one clear outcome: recognize text in scanned PDFs and create a searchable PDF. If you already have PDF and need SEARCHABLE-PDF, TEXT, this page keeps the action, the explanation, and the next useful steps together. You do not have to dig through a large software menu just to find the feature you came for. Start with the tool above, complete the task, review the result, and continue only when your document actually needs another step.
When PDF OCR is useful
PDF OCR focuses on one document job rather than surrounding it with unrelated features. That matters when you are trying to finish a small but necessary step quickly. Bring in the supported file or content, complete the task, review what changed, and then download the result or continue into a related workflow. The page is structured so the main action remains obvious from the moment you arrive.
Typical uses include preparing PDFs for email, forms, school or office submissions, document archives, client handoffs, printing, and workflows where a PDF needs to be edited, organized, converted, reduced, protected, or made easier to share.
Tips for better results
For PDF files, start with the cleanest source you have. Password protection, damaged files, unusual embedded fonts, very large scans, or image-only pages can affect what any browser-based PDF workflow can read or change. If the document is a scan and you need selectable text, an OCR step may be more appropriate before editing or converting.
Before downloading or sharing the finished file, give the result a quick review. Check the pages, text, images, order, formatting, or file size that matter for your task. If the output is not what you expected, go back to the source file and make sure it is the right version and format before trying again.
Continue the workflow without starting over
Document work rarely ends with one action. After recognize text in scanned PDFs and create a searchable PDF, you may need another closely related step. You can use Compress PDF when you need to reduce PDF file size. For a different next step, Edit PDF helps you edit a PDF online. You can also move to Merge PDF to combine multiple PDF files into one PDF. If your goal changes, Protect PDF is available for add password protection to a PDF.
If none of those matches what you need, browse the PDF tools collection for tools that work with the same document family, or open the complete document tools directory to find another workflow by task or file type. These contextual links are intentionally placed around the current job so every tool page can act as both a useful destination and a sensible next step in the wider document workflow.
PDF OCR FAQs
Quick answers to common questions about this workflow.
What is PDF OCR?
OCR recognizes text inside scanned or image-based PDF pages so the content can be copied, searched, and reused.
Does the OCR change the visible PDF?
The searchable PDF keeps the source pages and adds an invisible recognized-text layer when generation succeeds.
Which language does this version support?
The current interface runs English OCR. Additional language options can be added to the shared OCR processor later.