Scanned PDFs contain images of text, which makes word counting harder. Here is how to handle them.
Scanned PDFs store text as images, so there is no selectable text to count. You need OCR (optical character recognition) to extract the text.
Run the scanned PDF through OCR software to convert it to selectable text. Then you can use a word counter on the extracted text.
If your PDF has selectable text, you can use our free PDF word counter directly without any extra steps.
OCR, or optical character recognition, converts images of text into selectable, editable text. It is essential for counting words in scanned documents, which store text as pictures rather than as text.
Many free and paid OCR tools are available. Some work online, while others run on your device. Choose one that handles your language and document quality well.
Once your scanned PDF has been converted to selectable text, you can count the words using our free PDF word counter. This gives you an accurate count even for scanned documents.
Understanding word count helps you meet requirements, improve your writing, and work more efficiently. Whether you are a student, writer, translator, or professional, having a fast and accurate word counter makes the process simple.
Ready to count words in your PDF? Try our free PDF word counter - it is fast, private, and requires no sign-up. Your file is processed entirely in your browser. For plain text, use our word counter or character counter.
