OCR PDF — make scanned PDFs searchable
Run OCR on a scanned or image-only PDF to recognize its text and create a searchable PDF — free and entirely in your browser. Your file is never uploaded to a server.
How to OCR a PDF
- Open the OCR tool and add your scanned PDF — drag and drop it, or click “Choose files.”
- Choose your output. Create a searchable PDF (keeps the original look, adds selectable text), export the recognized text as a .txt file, or both.
- Run OCR & download. Recognition runs on your device; the searchable PDF is saved to your Downloads folder.
OCR a PDF without uploading it
Most online OCR tools upload your documents to their servers. LambiPdf runs OCR right inside your browser using an offline recognition engine, so scanned contracts, IDs, and records never leave your computer. The result is a searchable PDF that looks identical to the original but lets you select, copy, and search the text. It's free, needs no account, and adds no watermark. English is supported; larger documents take a little longer since everything runs locally.
More free PDF tools
OCR PDF — FAQ
Is OCR on LambiPdf free?
Yes — it's completely free, with no sign-up and no watermark.
Are my files uploaded when I run OCR?
No. OCR runs entirely in your browser using an offline engine; your file never leaves your device.
What do I get — a searchable PDF or plain text?
Either or both. You can create a searchable PDF that keeps the original look with a selectable text layer, and also export the recognized text as a .txt file.
Which languages are supported?
English is supported out of the box. Recognition accuracy is best on clear, high-resolution scans.