Standard Conversion
No upload- Best For
- Text-based PDFs
- Processing
- Browser-based
- Result
- Fast, free, private
Free PDF to Markdown Converter
Convert PDF to Markdown with clean headings, lists, and tables. Use free local conversion for text-based PDFs, or OCR mode for scanned and complex files.
How to use
Choose the right PDF to Markdown mode
Last reviewed: June 29, 2026. Use Regular Mode for free local PDF to Markdown conversion of text-based PDFs. Switch to Advanced OCR for scanned, image-only, or table-heavy PDFs; OCR uploads the PDF for recognition, deletes the source after processing, and keeps completed Markdown results available for 24 hours.
1
Upload your PDF
Choose a PDF. Documents with selectable text work well in Regular Mode; scans and image-only PDFs work better with OCR conversion.
2
Select a mode
Regular Mode runs locally and stays free. OCR mode uploads the PDF and charges credits for successfully recognized pages.
3
Preview and edit
Review the Markdown source and rendered preview, then adjust the text before downloading if needed.
4
Copy or download
Copy the PDF to Markdown output to your clipboard or download a .md file. OCR results are saved for 24 hours for recovery.
Example Output
See the kind of Markdown structure the converter can produce from real PDF content, from clean headings to tables, notes, and OCR text.
Headings, sections, and paragraphs are organized into readable Markdown so the document is ready for editing or publishing.
Conversion modes
Standard PDF to Markdown or Advanced OCR?
Choose the PDF to Markdown mode that matches your file. Text-based PDFs can stay private in the browser, while scans, image PDFs, complex layouts, and tables get better results with OCR.
Advanced OCR Conversion
1 credit / page- Best For
- Scanned PDFs, complex layouts
- Processing
- OCR/API processing
- Result
- Better structure and recognition
Also useful forscanned PDF to MarkdownOCR PDF to Markdownconvert image PDF to MarkdownPDF to Markdown with tables
PDF to Markdown features
Review, clean up, and export PDF to Markdown results that work in editors, docs tools, and AI workflows.
Local browser processing
Convert selectable-text PDFs to Markdown without sending the file to a server.
Markdown source preview
Inspect the generated Markdown before you copy or download it.
Rendered Markdown preview
Check headings, paragraphs, lists, and tables in a readable preview.
One-click copy and .md download
Move clean Markdown into editors, docs tools, and AI workflows.
Table-aware output
Preserve simple tables when possible and keep recognized OCR tables inline as Markdown.
Advanced results history
Recover completed OCR conversions from your activity page for 24 hours.
Use cases
PDF to Markdown Use Cases
Move PDF content into documentation, notes, editors, study systems, and AI tools without retyping it.
- 01
For developers
Convert technical PDFs, API docs, and product manuals into Markdown for documentation sites and developer portals.
- 02
For researchers
Turn academic PDFs into Markdown notes for Obsidian, Notion, Zotero notes, or shared knowledge bases.
- 03
For writers
Extract clean text from PDF reports, briefs, and drafts, then edit it in your favorite Markdown editor.
- 04
For students
Convert lecture slides, scanned notes, and study materials into editable Markdown for review and summaries.
- 05
For AI workflows
Prepare PDF content as Markdown before sending it to ChatGPT, Claude, or other AI tools.
PDF to Markdown FAQ
Clear expectations for PDF to Markdown conversion, OCR mode, file uploads, image extraction, and result retention.
Is this PDF to Markdown converter free?
Yes. This free PDF to Markdown converter online includes Regular Mode, which is completely free with unlimited PDF to Markdown usage and runs locally in your browser. Advanced OCR costs 1 credit per successfully recognized page and is designed for scanned, image-only, or complex PDFs. Sign in to receive initial credits, or purchase credit packs and subscription plans for more.
What are the file size and page limits for a single PDF?
Anonymous users are limited to 10MB / 50 pages per file. Signed-in users, including subscribers, get 20MB / 100 pages per file. OCR conversion also uses the 20MB / 100 pages per-file limit.
Are there limits on batch conversion?
Batch conversion supports multiple PDFs in one go. Anonymous users can upload up to 5 files with a combined size of 30MB. Signed-in users get up to 20 files with a combined size of 100MB.
Which PDFs convert best to Markdown?
Text-based PDFs — documents where you can select and copy text — work best in Regular Mode, with accurate preservation of headings, paragraphs, and list structure. For scanned PDFs, image-only documents, complex tables, or multi-column layouts, Advanced OCR delivers better recognition but may still need minor cleanup.
Are my PDF files uploaded?
Regular Mode processes PDF to Markdown conversion locally in your browser — no upload, no storage. OCR mode uploads the PDF for recognition, deletes the original file immediately after processing, and keeps the Markdown result available for download for 24 hours.
Does it support scanned or image-based PDFs?
Yes. Regular Mode is built for text-based PDFs only. For scanned or image-only PDFs, choose OCR mode — it uses OCR technology to recognize text and produce editable Markdown.
Does OCR mode extract images from PDFs?
Yes. OCR mode can include extracted image assets when the OCR provider returns them. When downloading a result with images, you can choose between a ZIP file (Markdown + separate image files, recommended) or a single Markdown file with base64-embedded images (larger file size). Regular Mode does not extract real image files.
Does it support tables?
Regular Mode preserves simple table structures when possible. OCR conversion handles tables more effectively and inlines recognized tables as Markdown. Merged cells, complex layouts, and financial tables may not be fully preserved and can require manual adjustment.
Why might the output not be perfect?
PDFs are layout documents, not structured Markdown. OCR text recognition on scanned pages, complex tables, multi-column layouts, formulas, and special characters can all affect the output. Preview your result and do a quick manual cleanup for the best outcome.