OCR PDF online free

Recognize text on scanned PDFs (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese) — free, no signup. Files never uploaded

1 Add file
2 Set pages
3 Run OCR

Drop a scanned PDF here

or click to select — free, in your browser

PDF only · No account · Files stay on your device

How it works

How to OCR a PDF online

Recognize text on scanned PDFs in your browser — English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese. Nothing is uploaded.

First run loads language data (often 20–45 seconds); later pages reuse the engine.

Language limits and accuracy notes: How to OCR a PDF.

Open OCR PDF and add your scan.
Choose all pages or enter ranges.
Click Run OCR, then copy or download the text.

Why browser processing & tips

Why process PDFs in your browser?

Most PDF sites upload your file to a remote server first. That adds wait time, queueing, and means your document passes through infrastructure you do not control. LokaPDF runs OCR entirely in your browser — file content is not uploaded to our servers. Scans never leave your device. The tool works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, and Android with no install.

Digitizing paper scans, copying quotes from image PDFs, and preparing text for Word.

Tips

Use sharper scans for better accuracy.
Recognition runs on every selected page (aimed at scans). Digital PDFs may fall back to the text layer if OCR finds nothing usable.
For selectable digital PDFs, Extract text is usually faster.
Handwriting is often incomplete — printed pages work best.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is OCR PDF free online?

Yes — recognize text on scanned PDFs free with no signup. OCR runs in your browser.

Which languages are supported?

English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese. Other languages are not enabled yet.

How is this different from Extract text?

Extract text prefers the PDF text layer when present (faster on digital PDFs). OCR PDF always runs recognition on each selected page — best for scans. If recognition finds nothing usable, the text layer may be used as a fallback.

Why is the first run slow?

Language data (including Simplified Chinese) loads once in your browser — often 30–60 seconds on the first run. Later pages and later jobs reuse the loaded engine.

Will OCR work on handwritten notes?

Printed scans work best. Handwriting and low-contrast photos often return partial or empty text — try a sharper scan.

Does LokaPDF upload my file for OCR PDF?

No. LokaPDF processes your PDF locally in the browser — file content is not sent to our servers. Your document stays on your device, including on public or work networks.