OCR PDF Free — Convert Scanned PDF to Text

A scanned PDF or a photo of a document is just an image — you can't select, copy, or search the words inside it. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) reads that image and turns it back into real, editable text. This free OCR tool converts scanned PDFs and photos into searchable text and can pull key fields into Excel. It reads English text; on Aadhaar cards it also tries to read the Hindi name and address.

How to OCR a PDF

1. Upload your scan. Add a scanned PDF or a photo (JPG or PNG) of the document.
2. Let it read the page. The tool recognises the text — printed or clearly handwritten — and detects tables and fields.
3. Export. Copy the recognised text, or download it as editable text or an Excel sheet of fields.

The text recognition runs in your browser, so your scan isn't uploaded just to read it. If you save a batch or export results, the document and its recognised text are stored in your account and deleted automatically within 24 hours. Aadhaar and PAN are never sent to any AI service. See the privacy policy for details.

What you can do with OCR

• Turn a scanned PDF into editable text you can paste into Word or Google Docs
• Make an old scan searchable so you can find words inside it
• Pull fields from invoices, bank statements and forms straight into Excel
• Read text from a photo of a document on your phone — useful for Aadhaar, PAN, marksheets and exam forms
• Read the Hindi name and address on an Aadhaar card alongside the English text

OCR PDF — frequently asked questions

Is this OCR tool free?

Yes, you can convert scanned PDFs and images to text for free. Signing in lets the tool save your results and learned templates to your account.

Does OCR work on handwriting?

It works best on printed text and neat, clearly written handwriting. Very cursive or messy handwriting may not convert accurately.

Which languages are supported?

English. On Aadhaar cards the tool also tries to read the Hindi (Devanagari) name and address. Full-page OCR in Hindi and other Indian languages is not available yet.

Can I convert a scanned PDF to Word?

Yes — OCR the scan to get editable text, then use the PDF to Word tool. See the guide on converting a scanned PDF to Word.

Related free tools: PDF to Excel, PDF to Word, Compress PDF. New to OCR? Read how to OCR a scanned PDF.