Is OCR PDF free to use?

Yes. This tool is available for free with no account required for basic usage.

Are files secure when using OCR PDF?

Uploaded files are processed temporarily and automatically removed after one hour.

How do I get the best result with OCR PDF?

Use clean source files and review output after processing, especially for complex ocr pdf workflows.

Do I need an account or signup?

No. PDFBaba does not require signup for these tools. Upload, process, and download without creating an account.

Is there a watermark on the output?

Output from this tool is not watermarked by PDFBaba. You get a clean file suitable for work and sharing.

What is the maximum file upload size?

The default limit is 100MB per file on the server. Your host or administrator can change this via environment configuration. If a file fails to upload, try compressing or splitting it first.

Can I use this tool on my phone or tablet?

Yes. PDFBaba works in modern mobile browsers. Very large files or complex previews may be smoother on a desktop with a stable connection.

Is there a daily usage limit?

To keep the service fast for everyone, rate limits may apply per IP. Typical personal use is rarely affected. If you hit a limit, wait briefly and try again.

What if my PDF is password-protected?

For OCR PDF, use an unlocked PDF when possible. If the file asks for a password in a reader, unlock it with our Unlock PDF tool first, then run OCR PDF on the decrypted file.

Why doesn’t my scan behave like a normal PDF?

Scanned pages are images until OCR adds a text layer. For editable text, try OCR PDF or PDF to Word visual mode, depending on your goal.

Online PDF Tool

OCR PDF

Add a searchable text layer to scanned PDFs using server-side OCR when available.

Why use OCR PDF?

Scanned PDFs look fine to humans but frustrate search, copy, and assistive technology until OCR adds a text layer. When OCR is enabled server-side, PDFBaba can make pages searchable and more accessible. Quality depends on scan resolution and noise—garbage in yields garbage out. There is no signup requirement, and uploads are deleted after about one hour. For editable Word output instead of in-PDF text, pair OCR with PDF to Word text mode after text exists.

Supported files & limits

One scanned or image-heavy PDF. The default upload limit is 100MB per file; administrators can raise or lower this via server configuration. OCR must be enabled on the server; output adds a searchable text layer when successful.

Privacy & data retention

PDFBaba is built for quick tasks: your uploads and generated downloads are kept only long enough to process your request and are automatically deleted after about one hour. We do not require signup for these tools, and we do not use your documents to train AI models. For full details on cookies, analytics, and legal terms, read our Privacy Policy.

Features

Searchable text layer

Best for scans

Requires OCR to be enabled on the server

How to use

1
Upload your source file.
2
Click run ocr to process the document.
3
Download the output file.

Related tools

pdf to word repair pdf validate pdf