Extract Text from PDF
Copy the text out of a PDF.
Drop a PDF to pull the text out
Text-based PDFs only — scans need OCR · drag & drop, paste, or click to browse
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is uploaded or sent to a server.
This pulls out the text a PDF already stores — it doesn't do OCR, so a scanned or photographed document (where the pages are images) will come out empty. Layout isn't preserved perfectly either: columns, tables, and headers can come through in an unexpected order, so read the result before relying on it. The PDF is processed in your browser and nothing is uploaded. Read our full disclaimer.
About this tool
When you need the words out of a PDF — to quote, edit, translate, or search them — retyping isn't the answer. This tool reads the text a PDF already contains and gives it to you as plain text to copy or download as a .txt file. It works page by page and can mark where each page begins. It only reads text that's actually stored in the file, so a proper digital PDF works well; a scanned image of a page has no text to read (that needs OCR, which this doesn't do). Everything runs in your browser.
Grabbing a quote
Drop in a report, and the text of every page appears in seconds — copy the paragraph you need instead of retyping it.
How to use
- 1Drop in a PDF — the text is pulled out as it loads.
- 2Optionally tick 'Add page markers' to label where each page starts.
- 3Read or edit the text in the box.
- 4Copy it, or download it as a .txt file.
Features
- Extracts the selectable text from every page, in order.
- Optional per-page markers so you know where each page begins.
- Live word and character counts.
- Copy to the clipboard or download as a .txt file.
- Runs entirely on your device; the PDF is never uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the result empty for my PDF?
The PDF is probably a scan — a picture of each page rather than real text. There's nothing for the tool to read because the words are pixels, not characters. Reading those needs OCR, which this tool doesn't do.
Will it keep the original formatting?
No — it gives you the plain text. Reading order usually follows the page, but complex layouts (multiple columns, tables, sidebars) can come out jumbled, so check the result.
Can it handle a big PDF?
Yes, within reason — it reads each page in turn in your browser, showing progress as it goes. Very large documents just take a little longer.
Is my PDF uploaded to read the text?
No. The file is opened and its text is read in your browser; nothing is sent to a server.
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