OCR PDF (Image to Text)

Upload a scanned PDF or image and we will extract text or create a searchable PDF.

Drop a scanned PDF or image

PDF, PNG, JPG — Max 250MB

OCR PDF — free online PDF Optimizer tool

OCR PDF is a free online tool from HuntPDF. Extract text from a scanned PDF using Tesseract. You work straight from your browser — there is nothing to install, no account to create and no watermark on the result. Upload a file up to 250MB, the processing happens on our secure servers, and your document is deleted automatically once you have your result.

How to OCR PDF

  1. Upload your PDF

    Drag and drop the PDF you want to process, or click to browse for it.

  2. Choose your settings

    Pick the option that suits the job. The defaults are tuned to give a good result without you having to think about it.

  3. Download the result

    Your optimised PDF is ready to download in seconds — no watermark, no signup.

Why use HuntPDF?

Completely free

No signup, no watermark and no daily cap. Use it as often as you need.

Private by default

Files travel over an encrypted connection and are deleted the moment your download finishes.

Works everywhere

Runs in any modern browser on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Fast and accurate

Most files are processed in a few seconds on our servers, not your laptop.

Frequently asked questions

What is OCR PDF and how does it work?

OCR PDF makes a scanned document searchable. A scan is only a picture of a page, so there's no text to select or search. OCR reads the text out of the image and adds an invisible text layer underneath it.

How do I use OCR PDF online?

Upload your file using the box above — drag it in, browse for it, or bring it in from your cloud storage. A preview appears so you can check you've picked the right file. Run OCR PDF, then download the result. You can rename it before you save it.

Is my file secure when I use OCR PDF?

Yes. The file you send to OCR PDF travels over an encrypted HTTPS connection and is processed automatically on our servers. It is never made public, never shared with anyone, and nobody reads it.

Does HuntPDF store my files after OCR PDF has run?

No. Your upload is deleted the moment OCR PDF finishes with it, and the file it produces is removed as soon as you have downloaded it, or when you upload another file, or when you close the page. Nothing is kept, and nothing is used to train anything.

Will the original quality and formatting be maintained?

Yes — the scan itself is untouched. The recognised text sits behind the image, so the document looks identical but is now searchable and selectable.

Can I use OCR PDF on mobile?

Yes. OCR PDF runs entirely in your browser, so it works on any modern phone or tablet — iPhone, iPad or Android — with nothing to install. You can upload straight from your device or from your cloud storage.

Can I rename my file before downloading it from OCR PDF?

Yes. The file OCR PDF gives you back keeps the name of the file you uploaded by default. If you'd rather call it something else, edit the name in the field next to the download button before you save it.

Do I need to install any software to use OCR PDF?

No. There is nothing to download, install or sign up for — OCR PDF runs in your browser and does the work on our servers, so it behaves the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

How long does OCR PDF take?

Most files are finished in a few seconds. A large or page-heavy file takes a little longer, because OCR PDF runs on our servers rather than on your device — but you won't be waiting around. You can upload files up to 250MB.

Is OCR PDF free to use?

Yes. OCR PDF is free, with no signup, no watermark on the result and no daily limit for normal use.