or drag & drop
Convert scanned PDFs to editable text with optical character recognition.
OCR your PDF online
No need to install extra software if you want to recognize text in PDF. Import the document, run PDF OCR in just a few clicks, and download the output instantly.
Multilingual support
Our service covers 19 different languages. Simply choose the needed option after uploading your file for more accurate results. You’ll find the full list of supported languages in the FAQ section below.
Compatible with any device
PDF Candy runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. If you have internet access, you can OCR online the scanned PDFs from any device - computer, tablet, or phone.
Free and easy PDF OCR
Apply Optical Character Recognition for scanned PDF papers, receipts, or printed forms free of charge with no sign-up, no ads, and no hidden costs.
High accuracy
Even with low-quality scans, our system is designed to preserve the content and deliver highly accurate, editable output files. Perfect for students, researchers, or professionals.
Cloud-powered speed
Recognizing PDF text in complex files can be resource-heavy. That’s why PDF Candy uses secure cloud servers to process your data quickly and efficiently.
How to extract text from PDF with OCR?
1Upload the document using the button or simply drag and drop it. You can also import from Google Drive or Dropbox accounts.
2Pick the recognition language to improve the accuracy.
3Click "Start" to begin the PDF OCR process.
4Download your editable text file or share it right away.
FAQ
What is OCR? | Optical Character Recognition is a technology used to identify and extract printed, typed, or handwritten characters from images or scanned files. |
Which languages are supported? | The tool can recognize text in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Indonesian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Turkish, Russian, Thai, Polish, and Arabic. |
When should I use PDF OCR? | It is helpful when you have an image-based document that you can’t edit or search. It turns unreadable text into a flexible version. This is especially important for digitizing historical archives, processing contracts, or converting low-quality scans into clear text. |
Is the service secure? | Yes. All files are processed in a protected server environment. They are automatically deleted within two hours of conversion to ensure privacy and safety. |
Is there a desktop version available? | Yes. You can download PDF Candy for Windows and OCR your PDFs offline on PC. |
Can I OCR multi-page PDFs at once? | Absolutely. The system processes all pages in a single file, generating an editable text output that preserves the original order. |
Does PDF OCR work with low-resolution scans? | Yes, though extremely blurry text may require manual correction. |
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