Scanned PDF vs normal PDF (why OCR is needed)
A normal PDF contains real text you can select and search. A scanned PDF is usually just an image of the page (like a photo inside a PDF). That’s why copy/paste and Ctrl+F don’t work.
OCR recognizes the text in the scan and adds an invisible text layer so your PDF becomes searchable. Not sure which type you have? Check: Is my PDF scanned?.
How to OCR a PDF online (3 steps)
Upload your scanned PDF
Upload a PDF scan (image-only PDF). If you can’t select text and Ctrl+F finds nothing, OCR will recognize text and add a searchable layer.
Select the document language
Choosing the correct language improves OCR accuracy (especially accents and similar-looking characters). If your PDF contains multiple languages, select the dominant one for best results.
Download a searchable PDF
Download the OCR’d PDF. You can now search (Ctrl+F) and copy text. If you want to convert the OCR result, use PDF to Word (OCR) or PDF to Excel (OCR).
Common uses for OCR PDF
OCR PDF is used when you need to search, copy, or reuse text from scans. These are common scenarios that match real user intent.
Make scanned PDFs searchable
Turn image-only PDFs into searchable documents so you can find words instantly (Ctrl+F) and copy text.
Receipts, invoices, and paperwork
OCR helps you extract and reuse text from scanned paperwork—useful for record keeping, accounting, and reporting.
Upload-ready documents
Many workflows require text-searchable PDFs for review and compliance. OCR makes scanned files easier to verify and manage.
Copy text from PDF scans
After OCR, you can select/copy text from scanned pages for editing, translation, or reuse in other documents.
Need OCR for a JPG/PNG instead of a PDF? Use Image to Text for photos and screenshots.
Troubleshooting OCR PDF
These quick fixes help you get cleaner OCR output and better searchable text.
OCR text accuracy is low
Blurry scans, shadows, skewed pages, and low resolution reduce accuracy. For best results, use clear scans with good lighting, keep pages straight, and choose the correct language.
Text is searchable but looks misread
Try re-running OCR with the correct language, and ensure pages are upright. If the scan is very low-quality, rescanning at higher quality usually fixes most errors.
Some pages work, others don’t
Mixed quality in a single PDF is common. Re-run OCR after improving the problematic pages (rotation, contrast, clarity).
I need a Word/Excel file from a scanned PDF
OCR first, then convert. OCR makes text machine-readable, which improves conversion results for scanned documents.
Security & privacy
OCR works by processing your document to recognize text. If you’re testing, use sample PDFs or redact sensitive data. Review the privacy policy for retention/deletion details.
Privacy checklist
- Avoid uploading extremely sensitive documents.
- Use trusted networks and keep your browser updated.
- Read our Privacy Policy and Terms.
FAQs about OCR PDF
What is OCR PDF?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) converts scanned, image-based PDFs into real text by adding an invisible text layer. After OCR, you can search (Ctrl+F), select, and copy text.
How do I OCR a PDF online for free?
Upload your scanned PDF, select the correct language, run OCR, and download the searchable PDF. After that, Ctrl+F works and you can copy text.
Why can’t I copy text from my PDF?
If your PDF is a scan (image-only), it contains no real text layer. OCR recognizes the text and adds an invisible overlay so copying and searching works.
How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?
Run OCR on the scanned PDF to add a text layer. After OCR, Ctrl+F works and you can copy and select text from the document.
Is this OCR PDF tool free and unlimited?
Yes. This OCR PDF tool is free to use online with no signup and is designed to work without usage limits.
Will the downloaded PDF have a watermark?
No. Your OCR result downloads without a watermark.
Will OCR make my PDF editable?
OCR makes text searchable and selectable. Editing depends on the PDF structure and editor capabilities. After OCR, you can try Edit PDF for text-based documents.
How can I improve OCR accuracy?
Use clearer scans (less blur/shadow), keep pages upright, choose the correct language, and ensure the text is readable in the scan.
Related tools
Use these tools before or after OCR to complete your workflow:
OCR your PDF now
Upload a scanned PDF and download a searchable PDF. Copy text and search inside your scan using Ctrl+F.
Upload PDF for OCR