How do I scan text from an image for free?

Open scantext.net, upload your image or paste a screenshot, wait a few seconds, then copy or download the text. No signup.

Does scan text online work without uploading my photo?

Often yes — default OCR runs in your browser. Optional Higher quality may send one file over HTTPS and delete it within 60 seconds.

What is the difference between scan text and image to text?

They mean the same thing: OCR that reads words in a picture. ScanText supports both search phrases on this page.

Can I scan text from a PDF?

Yes — use our PDF OCR tool for multi-page PDFs up to 30 pages, or drop a one-page PDF here.

Arabic or Hindi photos on the English site?

Yes — leave Document language on Auto; the engine detects script. You do not need to switch the site language.

What do you need?

Scan Text from Image

Processed on your device when possible · Enhanced scan deletes files in ~60s

Drop files here

One or many images or PDFs — we pick the right tool · Ctrl+V to paste

Upload or paste above — extracted text will appear here

Processed on your device when possible · Enhanced scan deletes files in ~60s

1Upload or paste a file
2We extract the text
3Copy or download the result

About this tool

If you searched Google for scan text, scan text from image, or image to text free, you want a photo turned into copyable words without installing software. ScanText at scantext.net does exactly that: drop a PNG, JPG, or WEBP, paste a screenshot with Ctrl+V, or use your phone camera on supported browsers. Unlike cloud-only converters that upload every file, ScanText runs OCR in your browser when possible so your receipt, slide, or WhatsApp forward often never leaves your device. People also type extract text from picture, read text from image online, and free OCR without signup — this page answers all of those intents in one tool. After scanning, review the text, copy to clipboard, or download TXT or DOCX. For blurry Arabic, Hindi, or mixed-language pages, turn on Higher quality: one file may use our HTTPS API and is deleted within about sixty seconds. Scan text online on desktop or mobile with no account — that is the core promise of ScanText.

More tools (same language site):

Frequently asked questions

: Open scantext.net, upload your image or paste a screenshot, wait a few seconds, then copy or download the text. No signup.

About this tool

Guides

Frequently asked questions