Long PDF? Here’s the fastest workflow (500-page cap)
Most people don’t need OCR for every page. Keep only the relevant pages, then OCR the smaller file. You’ll get results faster and avoid page limits.
Split to keep required pages
Use Split PDF to extract only the pages you actually need, then upload that smaller PDF for OCR.
Compress if the file is huge
If your scan is very large in MB, run Compress PDF first to speed up uploads and processing.
After OCR, if you want to edit text inside a text-based PDF, try Edit PDF.
How to OCR a PDF online (3 steps)
1) Upload your scanned PDF
Upload a PDF scan (image-only PDF). If your document is long, split the PDF to keep only required pages (OCR processes the first 500 pages for speed).
2) Select the document language
Choosing the correct language improves OCR accuracy (especially accents and similar-looking characters).
3) Download a searchable PDF
Get your searchable PDF with an invisible text overlay. You can now search (Ctrl+F) and copy text. For conversions, try PDF to Word or PDF to Excel.
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
What is OCR PDF?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) converts scanned PDFs into real text so you can search, select, and copy words instead of treating the PDF like a picture.
Why can’t I copy text from my PDF?
If the PDF is a scan (image-only), there’s no real text layer. OCR recognizes the text and adds an invisible overlay so copying and searching works.
Is there a page limit?
Yes — OCR is capped to the first 500 pages for fast processing. If your file is longer, split the PDF and OCR only the pages you need.
Will the downloaded PDF have a watermark?
No. Your OCR result downloads without a watermark.
How can I improve OCR accuracy?
Use clear scans, avoid blur and shadows, keep pages straight, and select the correct language before running OCR.
Related tools
Prepare your PDF for OCR or convert the results using these tools:
OCR your PDF now
Upload a scanned PDF and download a searchable PDF. If it’s long, split the pages first to stay under the cap.
Upload PDF for OCR