PDF OCR – Scanned PDF to Text
Read text from scanned PDFs and photos, including Urdu and Arabic.
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About PDF OCR
PDF OCR reads the text in scanned PDFs and photos so you can copy and use it. A scanned page is only a picture, so you cannot select or search its words. This tool uses AI to read every word on the page and give it back as real text. It reads Urdu and Arabic as well as English, and it is free.
Use it on a scanned degree, a stamped office letter, an old printed book page or a photo of a form. Once the text is readable, you can copy it into a new document, search for a name or translate it into another language.
How to use PDF OCR
- Upload your scanned PDF or photo.
- Let the AI read the text on each page.
- Copy the text or save it for later use.
Why use PDF Hydra
- Urdu and Arabic OCRReads Urdu and Arabic script as well as English text.
- Scans and photosWorks on scanned PDFs and on photos taken with your phone.
- Copyable textTurns words locked in images into text you can select, copy and search.
- Files not keptPage images go to the AI service to be read, and PDF Hydra does not save them.
Frequently asked questions
What is PDF OCR?
OCR means reading text from an image. PDF OCR looks at each scanned page and turns the words it sees into text you can copy.
Can it read Urdu text from a scanned PDF?
Yes. The OCR reads Urdu and Arabic script as well as English, which helps with local documents and letters.
Why can I not copy text from my PDF?
Your PDF is probably a scan, which means each page is a picture. Run it through PDF OCR to get text you can copy.
Is PDF OCR free?
Yes, it is free with no sign-up. There is a fair daily limit on AI use for each visitor.
Do you keep my scanned files?
No. Page images are sent to PDF Hydra's AI service to be read, and PDF Hydra does not save your file.