Make a scanned PDF searchable with OCR
Run OCR on a PDF to add a searchable text layer to a clear printed scan on your device. Check recognized words before sharing. Free to use, with no sign-up required.
Files processed on your device01 How it works
- Add a scanned PDF up to 25 MB.
- Choose the language and up to 20 pages.
- Download the searchable PDF and check the text.
02 Good to know
Recognition runs on your device. English is built in; other language packs download from a public CDN. OCR is limited to 20 selected pages and 5 megapixels per rendered page. Export stops if a recognized word cannot be embedded with the available fonts. Handwriting and poor scans can contain errors; check names, dates, and amounts.
03Use OCR to make scanned PDF pages searchable
Add a PDF up to 25 MB, choose a language, and select up to 20 pages. OCR recognizes printed text and adds an invisible text layer so you can search and copy words from the PDF.
English is built in. Other language packs are downloaded from a public CDN; recognition itself runs on your device.
04Prepare a scan for recognition
Clear, upright printed text is easier to recognize than faint, skewed, low-resolution, or handwritten content. Each rendered page is limited to 5 megapixels.
OCR export stops if a recognized word cannot be embedded with the available fonts. If that happens, try a compatible language or inspect the page and recognition settings.
05Verify names and numbers
OCR can confuse similar characters or miss words, especially in poor scans and handwriting. Search the output and compare names, dates, amounts, and other important details with the page image.
Use the searchable PDF as a starting point for extraction. To turn recognized content into editable Word text, use PDF to Word and enable OCR for scanned pages.
06 Questions
What does OCR do to a PDF?
OCR recognizes text in page images and adds an invisible text layer so printed words can be searched and copied.
What are the OCR limits?
The input can be up to 25 MB, with up to 20 selected pages and 5 megapixels per rendered page.
Is the recognized text always accurate?
No. Check names, dates, and amounts against the scan, especially when the image is unclear or handwritten.