OCR PDF Online — Make Scanned PDFs Searchable Free

Convert scanned or image-based PDFs into searchable, selectable documents. OCR adds a hidden text layer for search and copy without changing the visual appearance.

How to ocr pdf online — 3 easy steps

Step 1: Upload the scanned PDF.
Step 2: Select the document language for best accuracy.
Step 3: Click Run OCR and download the searchable PDF.

Why use FileMasterPDF to edit and annotate PDF files

Non-destructive: the original PDF is never modified, only a new output is created.
100% private: editing runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
No specialist software: works in any modern desktop or mobile browser.
Instant results: changes are applied and downloadable in seconds.
Free forever: no account, no daily limits, no watermarks.

Frequently asked questions — OCR PDF

What languages are supported?

100+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Arabic.

Does it work on handwriting?

OCR works best on printed text. Handwriting has limited accuracy.

Will the appearance change?

No — the PDF looks identical. Only a hidden searchable layer is added.

Can I then copy text from the PDF?

Yes — after OCR, text is selectable and copy-pasteable.