Image to Text (OCR)
Upload any image and extract the text instantly. Works with photos, screenshots, scanned documents, and more.
Drag & Drop Your Image Here
or
Supports JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP
How to Extract Text from an Image
- Click "Select Image" or drag and drop your image into the workspace above.
- A preview of your image will appear.
- Click "Extract Text" — the OCR engine will scan your image.
- Copy or download the extracted text once it appears.
What Can This Tool Extract?
Street signs, menus, whiteboards, books
Error messages, app text, website content
Contracts, invoices, letters, forms
Extract amounts, dates, line items
Tips for Best Results
- Use high-resolution images — blurry photos produce less accurate results.
- Ensure good contrast between text and background (dark text on light background works best).
- Avoid extreme angles — straight-on shots work better than angled photos.
- Well-lit images produce significantly better OCR accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. This tool uses Tesseract.js, which runs the OCR engine entirely in your browser. Your image never leaves your device.
What languages does it support?
This tool currently supports English text recognition. It works best with clear, printed text.
Why is my extracted text not accurate?
OCR accuracy depends heavily on image quality. Blurry, low-resolution, or poorly lit images will produce lower accuracy. Try using a higher-resolution image for better results.
Can I extract text from a PDF?
This tool works with image files. To extract text from a PDF, use our PDF to Word converter.
What Is OCR and How Does It Work?
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It identifies and extracts text characters from images, converting them into editable and searchable digital text. ToolsNest's OCR tool is powered by Tesseract.js — an open-source engine originally developed by HP and now maintained by Google. It runs entirely inside your browser, so your image is never sent to any external server.
OCR Accuracy — What Affects Your Results?
| Image Type | Expected Accuracy | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| High-res screenshot | Excellent (95–99%) | Best image type for OCR |
| Scanned document (300+ DPI) | Very good (90–95%) | Scan at 300 DPI or higher |
| Well-lit photo of text | Good (80–90%) | Shoot straight-on, avoid shadows |
| Angled or skewed photo | Moderate (60–80%) | Straighten image before uploading |
| Low-res or blurry image | Poor (40–60%) | Use a higher resolution source |
| Handwritten text | Variable (20–70%) | Print clearly — cursive is harder |
Real-World Uses for Image to Text
Digitising Documents
Convert stacks of printed contracts, letters, or records into searchable digital text without retyping everything.
Extracting Study Notes
Photograph handwritten lecture notes or printed textbook pages and extract the text for digital note-taking apps.
Processing Receipts
Extract amounts and dates from paper receipts for expense tracking or tax preparation.
Translating Foreign Text
Extract text from an image, then paste it into a translation tool — much faster than retyping every word.
Making Documents Searchable
Extract text from scanned documents so you can search, copy, and reference the content digitally.
Screenshots to Text
Extract text from error messages, app interfaces, and website content without manual retyping.