To convert a picture to text, use OCR (optical character recognition): upload or snap a photo of printed text, let the OCR read it, then copy the result or save it as a Word or text file. You can do this free on any phone or computer. The free Image to Text Converter on this site works in your browser, so your image is not uploaded, and exports to Word (.doc) or .txt.
- OCR turns printed text in images into editable text.
- Good lighting and a flat, straight photo matter most.
- Browser OCR is private; your image stays on your device.
- Always proofread numbers and names after conversion.
What is OCR?
Optical character recognition is software that recognises letters and numbers in an image and converts them into real text you can edit, search and copy. It is ideal for printed documents, screenshots, notices, textbook pages and receipts.
Method 1: Free online OCR (any device)
- Take or choose a clear imagePhotograph the page flat in good light, or use a screenshot.
- Open the converterGo to the free Image to Text Converter.
- Upload the imageThe OCR runs in your browser using Tesseract and reads the text.
- Download Word or TXTFix any errors, then download as .doc or .txt.
Method 2: Built-in phone features
- Android: Google Lens (in the Google app or camera) can select and copy text from photos.
- iPhone: Live Text lets you select text in photos and the camera on supported models.
These are great for quick copying. For full pages you want to save as a document, a dedicated OCR tool with Word export is more convenient.
OCR options compared
| Free browser OCR | Phone built-in (Lens / Live Text) | Paid OCR software | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | Subscription |
| Word export | Yes | Copy only | Yes |
| Keeps layout and tables | No | No | Often |
| Image uploaded | No | Varies | Usually |
| Best for | Pages to edit | Quick copying | Large document batches |
Tips for clean results
For more detail, see our 10 tips for better OCR accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a picture to text for free?
Upload a clear photo or screenshot to a free OCR tool such as the Image to Text Converter on this site, then copy the text or download it as Word or TXT.
Can I convert an image to Word?
Yes. The free converter exports the recognised text as an editable Word (.doc) file. Formatting such as tables is not preserved.
Does OCR work on handwriting?
Free OCR tools are designed for printed text. Neat handwriting may partly work, but accuracy is low.
Is online OCR safe for private documents?
Browser-based OCR like this tool processes the image on your device, so it is not uploaded. Check how any other service handles your files.
Extract text from photos, screenshots and scans and download it as Word or text.
Guides for this tool
Guide · 3 min readOCR Accuracy: 10 Tips to Get Clean Text from Photos and Scans
Guide · 3 min readHow to Copy Text From a Screenshot (Phone, PC and Online)
Guide · 3 min readBangla OCR: How to Convert Bangla Text in Images to Editable Text
Guide · 3 min readHandwriting to Text: Can OCR Read Handwritten Notes?Want a tool, website or app like this for your business?
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