Free OCR PDF to Text
Free OCR and text extraction for scanned PDFs on RatPDF. Browser-based, HTTPS upload, files deleted after processing.
Quick steps
- Check text selection — If you cannot highlight text, the PDF is scanned.
- Run OCR — Use OCR PDF to add a searchable text layer.
- Extract text — Upload the OCR'd PDF to PDF to Text.
- Verify output — Spot-check numbers and names before reuse.
What's included free
RatPDF's free tier covers both OCR PDF and PDF to Text — 3 uses per tool per day. No signup required for basic extraction.
Free workflow for scans
- OCR the scan (free tier) at OCR PDF.
- Extract text (free tier) at PDF to Text.
When Pro helps
High-volume teams needing unlimited daily runs or 4 GB uploads benefit from Pro. Single-document users can usually stay on free tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
The PDF likely has no text layer — run OCR first.
Clean 300 DPI scans are highly accurate; handwriting and low contrast reduce quality.
Results vary by script — verify critical fields manually.
Use Word when you need headings and tables; use Text for scripts and search.