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Answers to common questions about OCRConvert: supported formats and languages, file limits, privacy, and how to get the best results. Can't find what you need? Use our Contact form and we'll get back to you.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is technology that extracts text from images or scanned documents so you can edit, search, copy, or reuse it. OCRConvert is a free online OCR service: upload a PDF or image, and we return the text as plain text (TXT).
You can upload PDF (including multi-page), JPG/JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF/TIF. Each file must be under 5MB, and you can process up to 5 files at once.
You can download the extracted text as Plain Text (TXT). TXT is universal and easy to paste into Word, email, or any editor.
No. You can use OCRConvert without signing up or creating an account. Just upload your file, choose language and output format, and download the result. We don't store your documents after conversion.
Yes. The online conversion tool is free to use. You can convert files without paying or subscribing. We may show ads to support the service. If we offer a paid API or premium features in the future, the basic web conversion will remain free.
We support 35 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Arabic, and many more. Select the document language in the dropdown before converting for better accuracy. See the full list on our Languages page.
We run automatic image preprocessing (noise reduction and resolution adjustment) before OCR. You don't need to optimize for most documents. If the page is rotated or skewed more than about 10°, straightening it first can improve results.
We extract the text only; we don't preserve exact layout, columns, or graphics. Output is plain text (TXT)—universal and easy to paste into any editor or app.
Use clear, high-resolution scans or photos. For best accuracy, choose the correct document language. If the image has colored text or busy backgrounds, a black-and-white or high-contrast version often works better. We don't support handwriting—only printed or typewritten text. If you have a good-quality image and results are still poor, you can contact us with a sample and we'll try to help.
You can upload and process up to 5 files per run; each file must be under 5MB. For larger batches, run multiple conversions. We may increase limits in the future.
No. Our OCR is built for printed or typewritten text only. Handwritten text will not produce reliable results.
Most single-page or short documents complete in a few seconds. Multi-page PDFs or larger images may take longer. You'll see a status update while processing; when it's done, you can download the TXT file. If a file fails, try again or use a smaller or clearer image.
If conversion fails, check that the file is in a supported format and under the size limit. Blurry or very low-resolution images may fail. Try a clearer scan or photo, or choose the correct document language. If the problem persists, contact us with details and we'll try to help.
We don't require personal details to use the service. Your files are processed and then automatically deleted from our servers after conversion; we don't share them with third parties. Even so, avoid uploading highly sensitive or confidential documents, as we cannot assume responsibility for their handling. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Yes. OCRConvert runs in your browser, so you can use it on phones and tablets. Upload from your device, convert, and download the result the same way as on a computer. No app install is required.
Yes. We support Arabic and other right-to-left scripts. Select the correct language before converting so the engine recognises the script. The extracted text will be in the correct reading order in the TXT file.
We may offer an API for developers. Check our site or documentation for API availability, rate limits, and authentication. Use of any API is subject to our Terms of Service.
Wrong or garbled text often means the image quality is low, the wrong language was selected, or the font is unusual. Use a clearer, higher-resolution image, pick the correct document language, and ensure the text is printed or typewritten (not handwriting). For mixed-language documents, choose the dominant language.
For any other questions, use our Contact form and we'll get back to you.