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FREE PDF OCR TOOL
OCR PDF to Text Online
Extract printed text from scanned or image-based PDF pages with OCR and download the recognized content as a plain TXT file.
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Maximum file size: 50 MB✓ No signup✓ HTTPS protected✓ Temporary processing
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Download the converted TXT result when processing is complete.
Extract text from scanned PDF files with OCR
A scanned PDF often looks like a normal document but actually contains page images rather than selectable characters. OCR PDF to Text uses optical character recognition to analyze those images and turn visible printed text into machine-readable text that can be copied, searched and reused.
This is useful for scanned letters, archived documents, receipts, printed forms and older paperwork. OCR accuracy depends on the source. Straight pages, good contrast, clear printed fonts and higher-resolution scans generally produce better recognition than blurry, skewed or heavily marked pages. The current tool is optimized for English printed text.
OCR PDF to Text or regular PDF to Text?
Use OCR when you cannot select or copy words from the original PDF because the pages are scans. If the PDF already contains selectable text, PDF to Text is the more direct option. If you want an editable document rather than plain text, PDF to Word may be a better fit for digital PDFs.
Work with scans after recognition
After extracting the text, you can keep the original scanned PDF or use other tools depending on the task. Compress PDF can make large scanned files easier to upload, while OCR Image to Text handles individual image files. The Convert PDF hub lists the complete conversion collection.
How to extract text from a scanned PDF
Convert scanned PDF pages to text
Scanned PDFs often contain images of pages rather than selectable text. OCR analyzes those page images and attempts to recognize printed characters so the text can be copied, searched, or reused.
When to use OCR for a PDF
Use OCR when you cannot highlight or copy text from a PDF, when the document was created from scanned paper pages, or when you need text from image-based forms, notices, statements, or archived documents.
Improve scanned PDF OCR accuracy
Clear, straight, high-resolution scans with strong contrast generally produce better recognition. Blurry photos, handwriting, unusual fonts, shadows, skewed pages, and complex layouts can reduce accuracy.
OCR PDF to Text vs regular PDF to Text
Use PDF to Text when the PDF already contains selectable text. Use OCR PDF to Text when the document is scanned or image-based. For more guidance, see Extract Text from Scanned PDF.
Review OCR text before using it
OCR output should be reviewed before relying on it for legal, financial, academic, or other important use because recognition errors can occur.
Frequently asked questions
How do I extract text from a scanned PDF?
Upload the scanned PDF, select Recognize text, and download the detected content as a TXT file when OCR processing is complete.
What is OCR?
OCR stands for optical character recognition. It converts text visible in an image or scan into machine-readable characters.
Does OCR work on handwritten text?
The tool is designed primarily for printed text. Handwriting recognition can be unreliable.
Which language does this OCR tool support?
The current server installation is optimized for English text.