FoxletPDF by MetaFox

OCR PDF

Make a scanned PDF searchable. FoxletPDF reads the text in each page image and adds an invisible text layer, so you can search, select and copy it while the pages look exactly the same.

  • Free, no signup
  • No watermark
  • Processed on our server, deleted after download

PDF · up to 25 MB

How to OCR a PDF

  1. Choose your scanned PDF. Pick a file with the button above or drag it onto the box.
  2. Make it searchable. Select “Make searchable”. Each scanned page takes about a second.
  3. Download. Open the PDF and press Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F) to search the text.

Tips for accurate OCR

  • Scan at 300 DPI. Higher resolution and good contrast give much better results than phone photos in dim light.
  • Straight pages. Rotate pages the right way up first with Rotate PDF if they're sideways.
  • Existing text is kept. Pages that already have text are left alone unless you tick “Also re-read pages that already have text”.
  • Private documents. This tool runs on FoxletPDF's server. Files are deleted right after you download the result. For tools that never upload anything, look for ones without the “Uses FoxletPDF server” label.

How your file is handled

This tool needs more than a browser can do, so your file is sent over an encrypted connection to FoxletPDF’s own server. It’s processed with open-source software, kept only in temporary memory, and deleted as soon as you download the result — or after 15 minutes if you don’t. File names and contents are never logged, and no outside AI or conversion service sees your file. See our privacy policy for details.

Frequently asked questions

Is my file uploaded?

Yes. This tool needs FoxletPDF's server, so your file is sent over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted as soon as you download the result — or after 15 minutes if you don't. We never keep copies or look at the contents.

Does OCR change how my PDF looks?

No. The original page images stay as they are; the text layer is invisible.

Which OCR engine is used?

Tesseract, an open-source engine, running on FoxletPDF's own server. No outside AI service sees your file.

Are there limits?

Up to 25 MB and 30 scanned pages per file. Pages that already have text don't count.

Can it read handwriting?

Not reliably. OCR works best on printed text.