OCR PDF: Extract Text from Scanned Documents

OCR PDF files in your browser to recognize printed text in scanned or image-based pages. Review the extracted content and download TXT or Markdown; this PDF OCR workflow does not add a text layer to your original PDF.

186,221+
converted 186,221+ files to markdown

1

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Privacy & Performance: File processing runs entirely in your browser, so files are not uploaded. Processing speed may vary depending on your device and browser environment.

How to OCR a PDF Online

Choose the recognition mode for your document and check the result against the scan.

1

Select a Scanned PDF

Choose a readable PDF with clear, upright pages. Keep the original available for comparison.

2

Choose Auto or All Pages

Use Auto for mixed digital and scanned pages, or All pages to recognize every page image.

3

Run OCR and Review

Start conversion and allow recognition resources to load. Check words, reading order, numbers, and table cells.

4

Export Recognized Text

Choose TXT for plain text or Markdown for the extracted structure. Correct remaining errors in an editor after download.

What Affects PDF OCR Accuracy?

OCR recognizes characters from images. A clear scan helps, but the result still needs review when a mistake would change meaning.

Blur and Compression
Low resolution, faint print, shadows, and compression artifacts can hide character strokes.
Rotation and Columns
Tilted pages and complex layouts can disrupt both recognition and reading order.
Similar Characters
Names, identifiers, dates, decimal points, and technical symbols are easy places for small errors to matter.
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What Your PDF OCR Result Contains

OCR produces a separate text result to inspect and download. It does not add a searchable text layer to the original scanned PDF.

Reuse Text from Scanned PDFs

The output is an editable working copy of recognized content, with the scan remaining your reference.

Reduce Retyping
Open the recognized text in an editor, correct OCR errors, and use it as a draft when digitizing printed reports or handouts.
Search Extracted Content
Search and organize the downloaded text in a compatible editor or indexing system.
Build an Archive of Text and Sources
Store the checked text alongside its original scan and source details before adding it to your document collection.

PDF OCR FAQ

Answers about scanned PDF to text, recognition modes, output formats, and troubleshooting.