OCR a PDF.
To make a scanned PDF searchable for free, open it below — the tool spots which pages are scans — and press Make searchable. Text recognition runs entirely in your browser, so your scan is never uploaded to anyone's server, unlike most online OCR services. You get the same-looking PDF with an invisible text layer you can search, select and copy. It reads printed English text; handwriting usually isn't readable.
Drop a scanned PDF
or click to browse — your file never leaves your device
Choose a PDF1
Open your scanned PDF
Drop in a scan or photo-based PDF. It stays on your device — nothing is uploaded.
2
Recognize the text
On-device recognition reads each scanned page — about a second per page, in English.
3
Download & search
Get the same-looking PDF with an invisible text layer you can select, search and copy.
Processed on your deviceNo uploads, everNo sign-up & free
More PDF tools
Every tool runs the same way — privately, in your browser.