How to Make a Scanned PDF Searchable (OCR)
Turn a scanned PDF into one you can search and copy text from — free and private.
Updated July 2026 · 2 min read Files never leave your device
Quick answer
To make a scanned PDF searchable, open PDF OCR, upload the scan, pick the document language, and let it run. Download a searchable PDF. It's free and works in your browser, so your document is never uploaded.
How to OCR a scanned PDF
- 1Open PDF OCR and upload your scanned PDF.
- 2Choose the language of the document.
- 3Wait while each page is read — this can take a moment per page.
- 4Download your new searchable PDF.
After OCR
Once your scan has real text, you can convert it with PDF to Word to edit the words, or Compress PDF to shrink a heavy scan.
Frequently asked questions
What is OCR?＋
OCR stands for optical character recognition. It reads the letters in a scanned image and adds a real, selectable text layer so you can search and copy the words.
Does OCR change how my scan looks?＋
No. PDF OCR keeps your page images as they are and adds an invisible text layer on top.