Optimize & secure
OCR a PDF — make scans searchable, free
Turn a scanned PDF into one you can search, select, and copy from. Real PDF Editor runs OCR in your browser and adds a hidden text layer over the scan — free, with nothing uploaded.
100% free · no sign-up · files never leave your device
What OCR does for a PDF
OCR (optical character recognition) reads the letters in a scanned image and turns them into real, selectable text. Real PDF Editor keeps your page looking identical but layers searchable text behind it, so you can find a word, select a sentence, or copy a paragraph from a document that used to be just a picture.
OCR a PDF free, in your browser, without Adobe
No Adobe Acrobat and no install. The recognition runs entirely in your browser, so your document is never uploaded — and it works the same on a Mac or a Windows PC, free. Note: OCR makes the scan searchable; it doesn't convert the PDF into a Word or Excel file.
How it works
- 1
Open the scanned PDF
Launch the editor and open the scanned or image-only document.
- 2
Run OCR
Open Tools and choose “OCR.” The text-recognition engine loads in your browser.
- 3
Let it read each page
It processes the pages one by one and builds an invisible, searchable text layer.
- 4
Download
Save the searchable PDF — you can now search and select its text.
Why use Real PDF Editor
- Makes scanned PDFs searchable and selectable
- Adds an invisible text layer over the scan
- Runs in your browser — nothing uploaded
- Free with no watermark or account
Frequently asked
How do I OCR a PDF?
Open the scanned PDF in Real PDF Editor, go to Tools → OCR, and let it read each page. It adds a hidden, searchable text layer; download the searchable PDF when it's done.
What is OCR in a PDF?
OCR (optical character recognition) reads the text in a scanned image and turns it into selectable, searchable text, so a scanned PDF behaves like a real text document.
How do I OCR a PDF for free?
It's free with no watermark, and the OCR runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded.
Does OCR convert a PDF to Word?
No — Real PDF Editor's OCR makes the scan searchable and selectable. To get plain text out afterwards, use the PDF → Text tool.
Will OCR change how my PDF looks?
No. Your pages look the same; the recognized text is added as an invisible layer behind the image.
How do I OCR a PDF without Adobe?
Real PDF Editor runs OCR in the browser for free — no Adobe Acrobat or install required.