Drop or select one or more images (JPEG, PNG, WebP, BMP). Multiple images are processed in sequence.
2
Select language
Choose from 20+ languages including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Hindi. Tesseract.js supports 100+ languages.
3
Extract and copy text
Click Extract Text and the OCR engine runs locally via WebAssembly. Copy the result as plain text or Markdown, or download as a .txt file.
FAQ
How does image-to-text work?
We use Tesseract.js, an open-source OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engine that runs entirely in your browser. It analyzes the image pixels to recognize letters, words, and paragraphs.
Which languages are supported?
Choose from 20+ popular languages in the dropdown, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hindi, and major European languages. Tesseract.js supports 100+ languages total. Language data is downloaded on first use (~2-15MB per language).
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. All OCR processing happens locally in your browser using WebAssembly. Your images never leave your device.
What image formats work?
JPEG, PNG, WebP, BMP, and TIFF. For best results, use high-contrast images with clear text. Minimum 300 DPI is recommended for scanned documents.
How accurate is it?
Accuracy depends on image quality. Clean, high-resolution images with standard fonts typically achieve 95%+ accuracy. Handwriting, low resolution, or unusual fonts may reduce accuracy.
Can I extract text from handwriting?
Tesseract.js is trained primarily on printed text. Handwriting recognition is limited and results are often poor — especially cursive. For handwriting, a dedicated service like Google Vision API will perform significantly better.
Can I process multiple images at once?
Yes. You can upload multiple images in one go. The tool processes them in sequence and outputs all extracted text in a single result, with each image's text clearly labeled. You can then copy the combined text or download it as a .txt file.
What happens when I change the language?
The first time you select a new language, Tesseract.js downloads the corresponding language data file (typically 2-15MB per language, cached after the first use). English is always pre-loaded and requires no extra download. Processing time varies by language complexity.
Why does the first OCR run take longer?
The OCR engine and selected language data are downloaded on first use and cached in your browser. Subsequent runs in the same session are significantly faster. The progress bar and status text show what is happening during initialization.
Does OCR work on mobile phones?
Yes. Tesseract.js runs via WebAssembly in all modern mobile browsers. You can photograph a document with your phone camera and extract text immediately. Processing is slower than desktop but fully functional.
How does this compare to Google Lens or Adobe Scan?
Google Lens and Adobe Scan upload your images to cloud servers. Our OCR runs 100% locally — your documents never leave your device. This is critical for sensitive documents like contracts, medical records, or financial statements.
Can I extract text from a PDF?
This tool handles images only. For PDF text extraction, use our <a href="/ai/pdf/pdf-to-word">PDF to Word converter</a>. If your PDF contains scanned pages (image-based), export each page as an image first, then run OCR here.
What image resolution gives the best OCR accuracy?
Aim for at least 300 DPI for scanned documents. Higher resolution means better accuracy, especially for small text. If your scan is low-res, try upscaling it first with our <a href="/ai/image/upscaler">AI Image Upscaler</a> before running OCR.
Can I extract text from screenshots?
Yes. Screenshots of websites, chat messages, code editors, and apps work well because they contain clean, high-contrast text. The tool handles multi-column layouts and mixed content.
Coda One's OCR tool extracts text from images using Tesseract.js, running entirely in your browser via WebAssembly. Supports 100+ languages. Upload screenshots, photos of documents, or scanned pages to get editable text instantly. No server processing, no uploads. Free and unlimited.