OCR – read text from scans for Free
Get typed text from a scanned page or photo. Supports English and major Indian languages.
- Never uploaded
- Free · no watermark
- No sign-up
How it works
- 1Select a scanned PDF or photo.
- 2Choose the language.
- 3Copy the text or download it.
Frequently asked questions
Which Indian languages can OCR read?
English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi and Urdu. There is also an English + Hindi option for documents that mix both.
What do I get after running OCR?
Two files: a searchable PDF that looks like your scan but lets you search and copy the text, and a .txt file with all the words. You can also copy the text straight from the result screen.
Does OCR need internet?
Only the first time for each language. The text reader and the language data (a few MB) are downloaded once from a public server and remembered by your browser, while your document stays on your device.
Can I OCR a photo taken with my phone camera?
Yes. You can pick a JPG, PNG or WebP photo, or take one with your camera. For several photos, combine them into one PDF with JPG to PDF first, then run OCR on that PDF.
How accurate is the text recognition?
Clear, printed text in a sharp, well-lit, straight scan is usually read very well. Blurry photos, tiny print, stamps and handwriting give more mistakes, so check important numbers by eye.
Will OCR change how my PDF looks?
The searchable PDF looks almost the same, with the page saved as a slightly compressed picture and invisible text laid over it. If your PDF already has selectable text, you do not need OCR at all.
Why did OCR give wrong or empty text for my document?
The most common reason is the wrong language being selected, so pick the language the text is written in. Also make sure the page is the right way up and not too dark or blurry.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is processed inside your browser on your own phone or computer. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is safe for Aadhaar, PAN, bank statements and other private documents.
Is it free? Do I need to sign up?
It is completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit.