Recognize text (OCR) in a PDF or image
Upload a scanned PDF or a photo of a document and turn it into real text: searchable, copyable, and in a PDF with that text layer on top.
Your file stays on your device: it's never uploaded to any server
Free up to 3 pages per file — go Pro to recognize documents with no limit.
Drag your PDF or image here or click to choose it
Preparing…
Text recognized. You can download the PDF with the text already searchable, or just the text in a separate file.
How to make a scanned PDF searchable
Upload your scanned PDF or a photo of a document, choose the language and click "Recognize text". MásPDF reads each page with optical character recognition (OCR) and gives you back a PDF that looks identical on the outside, but with an invisible text layer on top that you can search, select and copy — or, if you prefer, the plain text in a .txt file. Everything happens in your own browser: nothing is uploaded to any server, although the first time you use a language it will take a little longer because it downloads that language's recognition model.
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Portable document scanner
OCR recognizes better the sharper the starting photo or scan is. A lightweight scanner (Epson WorkForce ES-50 or similar) helps a lot.
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Frequently asked questions
Are my files uploaded to any server?
No. The whole process happens in your own browser, so your files never leave your device: they're not uploaded, not stored, and nobody sees them.
Is it free? Are there any limits?
Yes, it's free, with no watermarks and no sign-up. The free plan supports files up to 10 MB (and up to 5 at a time in the tools that combine several PDFs); MásPDF Pro removes those limits.
Do I need to install anything or create an account?
No. It works right in your browser, on desktop or mobile. You can also install it as an app and use it offline.
What exactly does OCR do?
It turns a scanned PDF or a photo into text you can search and copy.