PDF OCR
Run OCR on a scanned PDF and download a plain-text file with the recognized text.
100% in your browser. Your file never leaves your device.
Features
- Six built-in languages (EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, PT)
- Runs in your browser — no upload
- Per-page progress display
- Plain-text output (.txt)
- Cached language models on repeat use
- Searchable-PDF output in the native app
About this tool
This tool helps you recognise text from scanned PDF pages locally and make it searchable. Processing starts only after you choose a file yourself. Clip PDF does not send the file to its own upload service: the work runs in the browser on your device. That makes it useful for one-off jobs where you need a new working copy quickly.
The workflow is deliberately transparent: you can load a PDF, choose a language, start recognition, and check the result. Only then is the new file created. Tesseract processes rendered pages in the browser; quality depends on scan and language. For important documents, inspect the preview and open the downloaded result once more before sharing it.
Local processing improves data minimisation, but it does not replace a careful result check. Handwriting, skew, and blurry photos often produce incomplete results. Keep the original file and follow your organisation's security rules for contracts, official records, and sensitive documents.
How to OCR a PDF
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Pick a language
Choose the dominant language of the document.
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Drop your PDF
Best results on scans at ≥ 200 DPI.
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Wait for recognition
A progress bar shows per-page progress.
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Download the text
A .txt file with one section per page is saved.
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Review the result
Open the new file and check its content, page order, and legibility before sharing it.
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Store the copy
Save the checked result somewhere you can find later; the source file remains unchanged.
Typical use cases
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A quick one-off task
Use the tool when you need to recognise text from scanned PDF pages locally and make it searchable without creating an account or sending the document to a third-party upload service. Until download, the new file remains a local browser result.
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Check before sharing
For email attachments, applications, or team review: create a copy, open it again, and check page count, legibility, order, and visible content before sending it onward.
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Working in a browser
On a personal computer or mobile device, the browser version is convenient for occasional jobs. For repeated, very large, or legally sensitive workflows, dedicated desktop or enterprise software is often a better fit.
Tips & limitations
- Work on a copy and keep the original unchanged.
- Open the downloaded PDF and check every page before sharing it.
- Handwriting, skew, and blurry photos often produce incomplete results.
- For confidential documents, also follow your organisation's rules and secure the device you are using.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the first run slow?
The language data (~10 MB) is downloaded once and cached for next time.
How accurate is it?
Tesseract 5 reaches 95%+ on clean modern scans. Handwriting is poor.
Can I get a searchable PDF?
Searchable-PDF output (text layer over images) is in the native app.
Is my scan uploaded?
No — OCR runs entirely in your browser.
Free?
Yes.
Is my file uploaded to a Clip PDF server?
No. The browser tools process selected files locally on your device. Normal device and browser security practices still apply.
Why should I open the result again?
PDFs can react differently depending on their content, fonts, and size. A quick check confirms that the generated copy suits its intended purpose.
Is this suitable for very large or confidential files?
It is intended for ordinary one-off browser tasks. Device memory limits very large files; regulated or business-critical work also requires your own compliance controls.
Want it on the go? Get the app.
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