Browser-Local · No PDF Upload

OCR a Scanned PDF

Scans become searchable on your own device: a local Tesseract engine reads each page and an invisible text layer is added — with a plain-text copy to proofread.

Selected PDF Content Stays Local|Time Varies by File and Device

Drop a scanned PDF to make it searchable

Up to 20 pages · runs on your device with Tesseract (WASM) · the English language data is served from this site and cached after first use

How to OCR a Scanned PDF in 3 Easy Steps

Browser-local document processing with no application installation required.

Drop the Scan

Up to 20 pages per run. First use downloads the engine and language data from this site, then it's cached.

Local Recognition

Each page is rendered and read by Tesseract on your device, with per-page progress and preview.

Proofread & Download

Check the recognised text per page, then take the searchable PDF and the plain-text copy.

Why Use Our OCR a Scanned PDF Tool?

Current capabilities and limitations, described without universal quality or speed promises.

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Searchable Output

Each recognised word is written invisibly into the PDF at its real position — search and select work like any text PDF.

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Runs on Your Device

The Tesseract engine (WebAssembly) and English language data are served from this site and execute in this tab. Passports and client records stay put.

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Plain-Text Copy Too

Every page's recognised text, ready to copy, quote or archive — as a .txt alongside the searchable PDF.

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Honest Accuracy Notes

Printed text typically lands at 95–98%; handwriting and poor scans do worse. You see each page's text to proofread before sending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get clear answers about data flow, formatting, integrity, and usage limits.

How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?

Run it through OCR: each page is read, and the recognised words are written invisibly into the document at their original positions. The pages still look identical, but search, copy and Ctrl+F now work. This tool does it locally — the scan never leaves your device.

Which languages does the OCR support?

Currently English, served from this site and cached in your browser after the first run. More languages follow the same local-only pattern as they are added.

How accurate is local OCR?

For clean printed pages, typically 95–98% of characters. Accuracy drops with low-resolution scans, skew, handwriting, stamps and faded fax-quality text. The per-page text preview exists so you can proofread anything critical before using the output.

Why does the first run download something?

The OCR engine (WebAssembly) and the English language model together are roughly 15 MB, served from this same website and cached afterwards — subsequent runs start instantly and work offline. Nothing is downloaded from third parties.

Is OCR really private here?

The recognition runs in this browser tab via WebAssembly; pages are rendered to a canvas on your device and read there. The only network fetch is the one-time engine/language download from this site. That is the precise claim — no broader '100% secure' promises beyond it.

What is the page limit?

20 pages per run. OCR is CPU-heavy and runs on your device — batch longer documents in chunks, and keep the tab focused while it works.

Our Core PDF Tools

Browser-local compress, merge, rotate, rename, inspect, protect and OCR — nothing is uploaded.

📉Compress PDF

Recompress embedded PDF images locally; results and image quality vary

📑Merge PDF

Combine multiple PDFs into a single file, with folder import and auto ordering

🎯Compress to a Target Size

Hit a size limit — 2MB visa, 500KB forms, 25MB Gmail — or get the honest closest result

🔄Rotate PDF

Turn one PDF or a whole batch and save permanent rotated copies

🏷️Rename PDFs in Bulk

Pattern-based batch renaming with a live preview and ZIP download

🧹Remove Metadata

See and scrub hidden author, app and timestamp data before sharing

📋Check Before Sending

Pre-send checklist: size limits, metadata, personal data, page order, redaction risks

🔐Password Protect

AES-256 encryption in your browser with reader permissions — no upload

🖍️Redact Text

True redaction that destroys the text — then verifies it's gone

📇OCR a Scan

Make scans searchable with a local engine — pages never leave the device

🔍Compare Versions

Line-level diff between two drafts, computed locally

🏗️Secure Cleanup

Rebuild pages-only: metadata, attachments, scripts and history dropped

✍️Sign a PDF

Real PKCS#7 digital signatures computed on your device — import a certificate or create one

📄Word to PDF

Convert .docx to a searchable PDF locally — headings, lists and tables reproduced

🗂️Excel to PDF

Print every sheet as a clean grid, locally — dates as dates, no silent cut-offs

🤝Team Workspace

Share activity, not documents — one code puts a feed and notes in front of the team