OCR PDF
Run OCR on scanned PDF documents to make text searchable and selectable.
Drop scanned PDFs or images here
PDF · JPG · PNG · WEBP · TIFF · BMP — up to 30 files at once
Languages
Choose the main language in your scan. Add a second only for bilingual documents (for example English + Arabic). Maximum two languages.
Only English is installed on this server. Other languages appear in the list but need Tesseract language packs — run scripts/install-tesseract-langs.ps1 locally or redeploy the VPS.
OCR options
How to use OCR PDF?
- Add a scanned or image-based PDF. Use the cleanest version you have, especially for scans or client files.
- Select the document language before starting OCR. Take ten seconds here; most PDF mistakes are order, range, or quality mistakes.
- Click Run OCR and let RashPDF prepare a searchable PDF with selectable text.
- Open the result once before sending it. If it looks right, download it or continue with the next PDF tool.
- Makes scanned pages searchable with Ctrl+F.
- Lets users copy text from documents that were previously only images.
- Improves accessibility for archived paper documents.
File details, settings, and quality checks
A useful result depends on the source file and the choices made before processing. Use these tool-specific checks before you download or share the output.
- Accepted input
- a scanned or image-based PDF
- Result
- a searchable PDF with selectable text
- Setting to review
- select the document language before starting OCR
- Best-result check
- Choose the correct language and use clear scans with straight, high-contrast text. The PDF should look the same visually; OCR adds a text layer and accuracy depends on scan clarity.
- Processing and privacy
- This conversion may use the RashPDF conversion service for advanced processing, and the result is returned to your browser when it is ready.
Once the result looks right, you can convert the searchable PDF to Word, compress it, or merge it with other records. Keep the source file until the downloaded version has opened correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does OCR do to a PDF?
OCR converts scanned image-based PDFs into searchable, selectable text documents without changing their visual appearance.
How do I run OCR on a PDF?
Upload your scanned PDF, select the document language, and click Run OCR. Download the searchable PDF once processing completes.
Which languages are supported?
Over 30 languages including English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, French, Spanish, and German.
Will OCR change how my document looks?
No. The visual appearance stays exactly the same. OCR only adds an invisible text layer.
Does OCR work on handwritten text?
OCR works best on printed text. Handwriting recognition accuracy is lower and results may vary.
Is OCR free?
Yes. The OCR tool is completely free with no sign-up required.
Who usually needs OCR PDF?
OCR PDF is most useful for researchers searching scans, students digitizing notes, and offices archiving paper records. It is for everyday document work: fix the file, check the result, and move on without opening a heavy desktop app.
What should I check before using OCR PDF?
Make sure a scanned or image-based PDF is the final version you actually want to process. For private, legal, financial, or client files, check the output before you forward it.
Which setting matters most?
Most mistakes happen when users skip this part: select the document language before starting OCR. Review page order, page range, orientation, and quality before starting the job.
Will OCR PDF change my original file?
No. RashPDF creates a searchable PDF with selectable text as a new file. Your original stays where it is unless you decide to replace it yourself.
How do I get the best result from OCR PDF?
Choose the correct language and use clear scans with straight, high-contrast text. The PDF should look the same visually; OCR adds a text layer and accuracy depends on scan clarity. For anything important, open the downloaded file once before submitting, printing, archiving, or forwarding it.
Can I use the output with other RashPDF tools?
Yes. After using OCR PDF, you can convert the searchable PDF to Word, compress it, or merge it with other records. This conversion may use the RashPDF conversion service for advanced processing, and the result is returned to your browser when it is ready.
About OCR PDF
Run OCR on scanned PDF documents to make text searchable and selectable. Free online OCR tool — supports multiple languages and all PDF types.
Start with a scanned or image-based PDF, then select the document language before starting OCR. That one review step matters more than it looks: wrong page order, missed ranges, sideways scans, and low-quality source files are the usual reasons people have to redo a PDF job.
This conversion may use the RashPDF conversion service for advanced processing, and the result is returned to your browser when it is ready. RashPDF returns a searchable PDF with selectable text, so your original file is not overwritten. The PDF should look the same visually; OCR adds a text layer and accuracy depends on scan clarity.
Afterward, open the downloaded file once. If it is ready, you can convert the searchable PDF to Word, compress it, or merge it with other records. This keeps the workflow natural: fix the document first, polish it second, and share it only after the final check.
Step-by-step guide
Run OCR on a PDF to Make Scans Searchable