Scanned PDFs are essentially images trapped inside a PDF container. They look like documents on screen but the text is not searchable, not selectable, and not copyable. OCR...
Open OCRTurn scanned documents into editable text.
Drop document. Tool identifies image-based pages.
Each page analyzed. Text recognized. Searchable layer added.
Looks identical. Text now searchable, selectable, copyable.
Choose a PDF from your device. Drag and drop or click to browse. Your file stays on your computer.
Your browser handles all the work using JavaScript. Nothing is uploaded to any server. Processing is instant.
Save the processed file to your device. That's it — no account, no email, no waiting.
Organizations that scan paper archives into PDF format often have the most sensitive documents in their collection: decades of signed contracts, personnel files with employee personal data, financial records spanning fiscal years, legal correspondence documenting disputes and settlements.
Converting these scanned archives into searchable PDFs using a server-based OCR service means uploading every page of every document to a third party. The full content of your archive passes through external infrastructure during the digitization process.
ModernPDF processes scanned pages locally in your browser. The OCR analysis, character recognition, and searchable layer creation all happen on your device using WebAssembly. Your archive content stays within your organization's boundaries throughout the entire digitization process.
No. The original scanned page images remain completely unchanged in appearance. OCR adds an invisible text layer positioned precisely over the scanned text. The document looks identical to the original but text is now searchable with Ctrl+F, selectable with your cursor, and copyable to other applications.
High-quality scans at 300 DPI or above with clear printed text on clean backgrounds typically achieve 95% accuracy or better. Lower resolution scans, faded or degraded text, poor original print quality, and handwritten content will produce lower accuracy that may require manual review and correction.
The free tier handles files up to 10MB. Pro subscribers can process files up to 500MB, which covers large scanned archives, multi-hundred-page document compilations, and extensive legacy digitization projects. Processing time scales with page count and device capabilities.
English and most Latin-script European languages are supported with high accuracy on the standard tier. Support for CJK scripts (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) and other non-Latin writing systems is available with a Pro subscription.
OCR is a Pro feature. Pro subscriptions are available at $9 per month or $49 per year and include unlimited OCR processing, AI-powered document translation, support for files up to 500MB, and unlimited daily task usage across all tools.