Scan PDF to Text
Convert scanned PDFs into searchable, copyable text using OCR. Extract text from scans, photos, and image-based PDFs — fast and browser-based.
Scanned PDFs are just images — you cannot select, search, or copy the text. PDF.it's OCR technology reads the text in your scanned documents and converts it into searchable, copyable, and editable text. Support for multiple languages included.
- ✓ Convert scanned PDFs into searchable text
- ✓ OCR reads text from images, photos, and scans
- ✓ Works on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux
- ✓ No installation — run OCR in your browser
Drop your scanned PDF here
or click to browse files
Supported format: .pdf (scanned documents)
Digitize Paper Documents
Scanned contracts, receipts, letters, and forms are trapped as images. PDF.it's OCR reads the text from these scans and makes it selectable and copyable — turning paper into digital data.
Make Scanned PDFs Searchable
After OCR processing, your scanned PDF becomes searchable. Use Ctrl+F to find specific words, names, dates, or amounts in documents that were previously just static images.
Extract Data from Old Documents
Have years of scanned invoices, records, or correspondence? Run OCR to extract the text, then copy it into spreadsheets, databases, or modern document management systems.
How to Scan a PDF to Text
Upload your scanned PDF
Drag and drop or click to choose a file
Select language & run OCR
Choose the document language for best results
Download searchable PDF
Get your text-searchable file instantly
Frequently Asked Questions
How does OCR work on scanned PDFs?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) analyzes the images in your scanned PDF and identifies letters, words, and paragraphs. PDF.it converts these into selectable, searchable, and copyable text.
How accurate is OCR on scanned documents?
OCR accuracy depends on scan quality. Clear, high-resolution scans typically produce very accurate results. Blurry, skewed, or low-contrast scans may have some errors that need manual review.
What languages does the OCR support?
PDF.it's OCR supports multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and many more. Select your document's language before processing for best results.
What is the difference between a scanned PDF and a digital PDF?
A digital PDF contains actual text data that can be selected and copied. A scanned PDF is essentially an image of a document — the text is part of the image and cannot be selected without OCR processing.
Is the OCR scanner free to use?
The OCR Scanner is a Pro feature. Free users can try it with limited usage. Pro subscribers get unlimited OCR processing with priority speed.
Can I scan a PDF to text on my phone?
Yes. PDF.it works in mobile browsers — upload your scanned PDF, run OCR, and get searchable text on iPhone or Android.