PDF to OCR
or drop files here · Max 60MB per file
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Turn scanned PDFs into searchable files. OCR recognizes the text on scanned pages and adds an invisible, selectable and copyable text layer, without changing how the original document looks.
- Free, no registration required
- Works directly in your browser — nothing to install
- Files automatically deleted after 1 hour
- Secure connection (HTTPS) from start to finish
PDF to OCR: make scanned PDFs searchable
A scanned PDF is, in practice, a photo of each page: you cannot search for words or copy passages. OCR (optical character recognition) reads those images and adds an invisible text layer without changing how the pages look.
After processing, you can use your PDF reader’s search, select and copy text normally and use the file in other tools.
Specifications
- Accepted files
- Scanned PDF (image)
- Result
- Searchable PDF with a text layer
- Multiple files
- Yes, in batches (result in a ZIP when there is more than one)
- Maximum size
- 60 MB per file on the free plan; 100 MB on Premium
- Processing
- On ConverteJá servers, over an encrypted connection (HTTPS)
- Privacy
- Uploaded and generated files are deleted automatically after 1 hour
- Free plan
- 10 conversions per day, no sign-up and no watermark
- Compatibility
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, in any modern browser
How to use it, step by step
Upload the PDF
Upload the scanned PDF.
Choose the language
Choose the document language (for example, English or Portuguese). This choice improves accuracy.
Run OCR
Click to process. Long files may take a few minutes.
Download and search
Download the searchable PDF and test it by searching for a word.
When to use this tool
- Searching for words in scanned books, articles and documents.
- Copying passages from scanned contracts and minutes into other documents.
- Organizing scanned office archives in a searchable way.
- Preparing scanned PDFs for conversion to Word or Excel.
Tips for a good result
- OCR quality depends on the scan. Scan at 200 to 300 dpi or more, with the page straight and well lit.
- Select the correct language. A document recognized in the wrong language loses accents and special characters.
- If the PDF already has selectable text, OCR is unnecessary.
Frequently asked questions
Does OCR change how the PDF looks?
No. The original image is kept; the recognized text sits in an invisible layer behind it.
Which languages are supported?
The tool recognizes text in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
Is recognition perfect?
No OCR is flawless. Sharp text usually comes out very well; handwriting, skewed photos and blurry images give worse results.
What are the limits of the free plan?
The free plan allows 10 conversions per day, with files up to 60 MB and no sign-up required. The Premium plan removes the daily limit and the ads.