PDF to Text Extractor
Pull all the text out of a PDF and copy or download it as a .txt file — private and in your browser.
Extract text from any PDF
The PDF to Text extractor pulls all the selectable text out of a PDF so you can copy it or download it as a plain .txt file. It runs entirely in your browser — your PDF is never uploaded — making it private and instant, even for large documents.
Why extract PDF text?
PDFs are designed for fixed presentation, not easy editing, so getting the words out can be frustrating. Extracting the text lets you reuse content in a document, quote a passage, feed it into another tool, translate it, or search it. Instead of retyping or fighting with copy-paste that breaks across columns, you get clean, continuous text in one click.
How to use it
- Upload or drag in your PDF.
- The text from every page is extracted.
- Copy it or download it as a .txt file.
Text-based vs scanned PDFs
| PDF type | Result |
|---|---|
| Created digitally (text layer) | Full text extracted |
| Scanned images | No text — needs OCR first |
If your PDF is a scan, it contains images of pages rather than real text, so there's nothing to extract. An OCR tool would be needed to recognize the characters. This extractor works with any PDF that has a genuine, selectable text layer.
Common uses
- Reusing content from reports, articles, and ebooks.
- Quoting or citing text from a document.
- Preparing PDF content for translation or summarization.
- Searching a PDF's full text in a plain editor.
Private by design
Extraction runs locally using a PDF engine loaded on demand, so confidential PDFs never leave your device. There's no upload, no account, and no waiting on a server.
Private and free
The tool is completely free with no sign-up. Extract text from as many PDFs as you like.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Text extraction runs entirely in your browser, so your file never leaves your device.
Does it work on scanned PDFs?
No. Scanned PDFs are images without a text layer; you'd need an OCR tool first. This works with PDFs containing selectable text.
Can I download the text?
Yes. You can copy it or download it as a .txt file.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up.