OCR PDF
Turn a scanned PDF into one you can search, select and copy from. The pages look exactly the same; an invisible layer of recognised text is added on top, like the OCR in professional scanners.
OCR PDF
Add · Choose language · Make searchable
How to OCR a PDF
Add your PDF
Drop the file onto the tool or click Choose files.
Choose the language
English is built in. Pick another language, or a second one for mixed documents.
Download
Press Make searchable. Reading takes a few seconds per page.
Why use it
What this free tool does
Searchable text
Find words with Ctrl+F in any PDF reader.
Copy and paste
Select text in the scan and copy it.
24 languages
Including Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese and Japanese.
Looks the same
Your pages aren't changed, the text sits invisibly on top.
Skips text pages
Pages that already have text are left alone.
Private
Pages are read on your device and never uploaded.
How accurate is the OCR?
Clear, straight scans of printed text are usually recognised almost perfectly. Accuracy drops with blurry photos, handwriting, very small print or decorative fonts.
Choose "High" accuracy for small print, and straighten crooked scans with Deskew PDF first. The recognised text can also be downloaded as a .txt file to check it.
Tip: Scanning a document to OCR? 300 DPI in black and white or grey gives the best results.
Your files stay on your device
Most online PDF sites upload your documents to their servers. Aleynray Ai does the work inside your browser instead, on your own computer or phone.
Nothing is sent anywhere, so contracts, bank statements, IDs and medical forms stay private, and there is no waiting for uploads.
- Free, with no sign-up or limits
- No watermark
- Files never leave your device
- Opens password-protected PDFs
- Works on desktop and mobile
Frequently asked questions
Does it work on handwriting?
Only on very neat handwriting. It is made for printed text.
Will my file be uploaded?
No. The text reader runs inside your browser. Only language files other than English are downloaded, once.
Can I OCR a photo or image?
Convert it with Image to PDF first, then use OCR PDF.
How long does it take?
About 3 to 6 seconds per page on a typical computer.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no limit on files and no watermark.
Are my files uploaded?
No. The tool runs inside your web browser and works on the file on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server, so private documents stay private.