# Image to Text - Free Online OCR for Chinese & English

> Free online OCR: pull Chinese, English and numbers out of screenshots, photos and scans, then copy or download as TXT. The model runs in your browser.

- URL: https://qilingtools.com/en/image/ocr
- Category: Image Tools (https://qilingtools.com/en/image)
- Tags: [Image](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/image), [Text](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/text), [AI](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/ai), [Scanning](https://qilingtools.com/en/tags/scan)
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- Price: Free, no sign-up
- Privacy: Runs locally in the browser; files are never uploaded

Pull the text out of a picture instead of retyping it. Powered by the PaddleOCR Chinese-English model, it accurately reads Chinese, English, digits and common symbols in screenshots, photographed documents, posters, tables and scans, and outputs them in reading order. Process several images at once or paste a screenshot with Ctrl+V; results are editable, can be copied or downloaded as TXT, and recognised areas can be outlined on the image for checking. The model runs entirely in your browser, so contracts, IDs and chat logs are never uploaded.

## How to use

1. Drop in images or paste a screenshot with Ctrl+V
2. Click Extract text — the model downloads automatically the first time
3. Check and edit the result, then copy it or download TXT

## Features

- Mixed Chinese, English and digits
- Reading-order output, optional paragraph merge
- Batch recognition and paste support
- AI runs locally — sensitive images stay private

## FAQ

### How accurate is it?

Very accurate on clear screenshots and printed documents. Handwriting, decorative fonts and heavily skewed or blurry photos are harder — shoot straight and sharp for best results.

### Why is the first run slower?

It downloads a ~15MB recognition model once; after that it is cached in your browser.

### Can it read tables?

It reads the text in tables, separating cells on the same row with spaces, but it does not rebuild the table structure.

### Are my files or data uploaded?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser with no network upload, and is discarded when you close the page.

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