What is OCR PDF and how does it work?

OCR PDF makes a scanned document searchable. A scan is only a picture of a page, so there's no text to select or search. OCR reads the text out of the image and adds an invisible text layer underneath it.

How do I use OCR PDF online?

Upload your file using the box above — drag it in, browse for it, or bring it in from your cloud storage. A preview appears so you can check you've picked the right file. Run OCR PDF, then download the result. You can rename it before you save it.

Is my file secure when I use OCR PDF?

Yes. The file you send to OCR PDF travels over an encrypted HTTPS connection and is processed automatically on our servers. It is never made public, never shared with anyone, and nobody reads it.

Does HuntPDF store my files after OCR PDF has run?

No. Your upload is deleted the moment OCR PDF finishes with it, and the file it produces is removed as soon as you have downloaded it, or when you upload another file, or when you close the page. Nothing is kept, and nothing is used to train anything.

Will the original quality and formatting be maintained?

Yes — the scan itself is untouched. The recognised text sits behind the image, so the document looks identical but is now searchable and selectable.

Can I use OCR PDF on mobile?

Yes. OCR PDF works in any modern browser on phones and tablets — iPhone, iPad or Android — with nothing to install. You can upload straight from your device or from your cloud storage.

Can I rename my file before downloading it from OCR PDF?

Yes. The file OCR PDF gives you back keeps the name of the file you uploaded by default. If you'd rather call it something else, edit the name in the field next to the download button before you save it.

Do I need to install any software to use OCR PDF?

No. There is nothing to download, install or sign up for — OCR PDF is used from your browser and does the work on our servers, so it behaves the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

How long does OCR PDF take?

Most files are finished in a few seconds. A large or page-heavy file takes a little longer, because OCR PDF runs on our servers rather than on your device — but you won't be waiting around. You can upload files up to 250MB.

Is OCR PDF free to use?

Yes. OCR PDF is free, with no signup, no watermark on the result and no daily limit for normal use.

What does OCR PDF actually change?

It adds an invisible layer of text behind each scanned page image. The page still looks like the scan, but its words become searchable and selectable.

Which languages can OCR PDF read?

English, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese (Simplified). Set the one used in the document before pressing Make searchable.

Is OCR PDF free to use?

Yes. Upload a scan, choose the language and download the searchable PDF at no cost.

How long does OCR take?

It depends on the page count. A few pages take seconds; a long scanned report can take a minute or more, because every page is read.

My PDF already has text. Do I need OCR?

Probably not. If you can already select words in it, a note on screen says so. OCR is meant for scans and image-only PDFs.

Can I convert the OCR result to Word?

Yes. Use Continue with this file and choose PDF to Word. With the text layer in place, the Word file contains editable text rather than pictures of pages.

OCR PDF (Image to Text) Online – Free, No Signup

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Turns scans into searchable, selectable PDFs
Up to 260 MB per file

Processed on our secure servers over HTTPS. Your files are deleted automatically after processing.

OCR PDF turns a scanned PDF into a searchable PDF by adding a layer of real text to each page, so you can search it, select words and copy them. A paralegal can then find every mention of a clause in a scanned contract, and an accounts clerk can copy figures from a scanned supplier statement instead of retyping them.

How to use OCR PDF

Add your scanned PDF from your device, Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive, up to 260 MB. Choose the language of the document, then press Make searchable. Every page is read, which can take a minute for a long scan. When it finishes, download the PDF and try Ctrl+F: words on the scanned pages can now be found and selected.

When OCR PDF helps

Office scanners and phone scanning apps often save pages as pictures. They look like documents, but you cannot search them or copy a line out of them. That is the gap OCR PDF fills.

It is also the step to take before converting a scan. PDF to Word, PDF to Excel and PDF to PowerPoint turn real text into editable text, so running OCR PDF first gives them something to work with.

Getting the best OCR PDF result

Pick the right language from English, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese (Simplified). It starts on your browser's language, which may not match the document.

If the PDF already has real text, the tool tells you, and you probably do not need OCR at all. Pages scanned at an angle can go through Straighten pages (Deskew PDF) first. Afterwards, Continue with this file hands the result to PDF to Word, Compress or Edit.

Frequently asked questions

What does OCR PDF actually change?: It adds an invisible layer of text behind each scanned page image. The page still looks like the scan, but its words become searchable and selectable.
Which languages can OCR PDF read?: English, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese (Simplified). Set the one used in the document before pressing Make searchable.
Is OCR PDF free to use?: Yes. Upload a scan, choose the language and download the searchable PDF at no cost.
How long does OCR take?: It depends on the page count. A few pages take seconds; a long scanned report can take a minute or more, because every page is read.
My PDF already has text. Do I need OCR?: Probably not. If you can already select words in it, a note on screen says so. OCR is meant for scans and image-only PDFs.
Can I convert the OCR result to Word?: Yes. Use Continue with this file and choose PDF to Word. With the text layer in place, the Word file contains editable text rather than pictures of pages.