# PDF to Text Converter Online

> Convert PDF to text online. Extract readable text from text-based PDFs, preview the result, and download a plain .txt file. Use OCR for scans.

Convert text-based PDF files into readable plain text in your browser. Preview the extracted content, copy it, or download a clean .txt file. Scanned and image-only PDFs belong in the dedicated OCR workflow.

## What Is PDF to Text Converter Online?

PDF to Text Converter Online is an online DocToMD tool that turns supported PDF content into plain text. The result can be reviewed in the browser, copied as text, or downloaded as a .txt file.

## Supported Input

- .pdf
- Selectable-text PDFs
- Text-based PDF files

## What the Conversion Preserves

- Readable text
- Paragraph breaks when detectable
- Headings as readable lines
- List text
- Links as text

## Known Limitations

- Free users can convert PDFs up to 3 pages; licensed users up to 99 pages
- Scanned or image-only PDFs need the separate OCR workflow
- Columns, tables, headers, and footers may not remain in their original visual order
- Plain text does not preserve fonts, colors, images, or page layout
- Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked before upload

## How to Convert PDF to plain text

1. Upload a searchable PDF. Text-based files are the best fit for direct extraction.
2. DocToMD extracts the readable text and shows a plain-text preview in the browser.
3. Review the order of paragraphs and columns, then copy the text or download a .txt file.

## Common Uses

- Use this page when you need searchable text from a research paper, report, manual, transcript, or documentation PDF and the text is already selectable.
- Plain text is useful for quick copy and paste, indexing, text analysis, archiving, and moving content into tools that do not need Markdown formatting.
- If you need editable headings, lists, links, and simple tables represented as Markdown, use the PDF to Markdown converter. If the PDF is a scan, use the OCR page first.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I convert PDF to text online?

Upload a searchable PDF, wait for DocToMD to extract the readable text, review the plain-text preview, then copy it or download the result as a .txt file.

### Is this a PDF to TXT converter?

Yes. The converter extracts readable PDF content and lets you download a plain-text .txt file. The text output does not contain Markdown heading, list, or link syntax.

### Can I extract text from any PDF?

It works best when text can be selected in the PDF viewer. Image-only and scanned PDFs may return little or no text through direct extraction and should use the OCR workflow.

### Can I convert a scanned PDF to text?

Use the Scanned PDF to Markdown OCR converter for image-based PDFs. OCR can recover printed text, but accuracy depends on scan quality, language, rotation, contrast, and page complexity.

### Does PDF to text preserve the original layout?

No. Plain text preserves readable content rather than the PDF page design. Multi-column reading order, tables, headers, and footers may need manual review.

### Can I copy the extracted PDF text?

Yes. Review the text in the browser and use Copy Text, or download the result as a .txt file for local editing and reuse.

### Is the PDF to text converter free?

You can use the free daily allowance. Free users can convert PDFs up to 3 pages, while licensed users can convert PDFs up to 99 pages.

### Can I convert a password-protected PDF?

Password-protected or encrypted PDFs need to be unlocked before upload. Save an unlocked copy only when you are authorized to do so, then try the conversion again.

### Are uploaded files stored?

Files are processed for conversion and temporary files are removed after processing. Avoid uploading password-protected or highly sensitive files unless you are comfortable processing them through the service.

## Service Limits

- Free usage: 3 free conversions per day, shared across file and public URL conversions.
- Free file size: up to 10 MB per file.
- Free PDF length: up to 3 pages per file.
- Licensed usage: up to 100 file conversions and 10 public URL conversions per day.
- Licensed file size: up to 100 MB per file.
- Licensed PDF length: up to 99 pages per file.
- Licensed batch upload: up to 10 files per request.

Daily limits reset according to server calendar time. Current prices and license terms are published at https://doctomd.com/pricing/.

## Use the Converter

- [Open the PDF to Text Converter Online](https://doctomd.com/pdf-to-text/)
- [View current pricing and limits](https://doctomd.com/pricing/)

## Related Converters

- [PDF to Markdown Converter for Text PDFs](https://doctomd.com/pdf-to-markdown.md)
- [Scanned PDF to Markdown Converter](https://doctomd.com/scanned-pdf-to-markdown.md)
- [DOCX to MD Converter](https://doctomd.com/docx-to-markdown.md)
- [Website to MD and URL to Markdown Converter](https://doctomd.com/url-to-markdown.md)

## Canonical Page

https://doctomd.com/pdf-to-text/