How to scan a document to PDF
- 1
Scan or upload
Tap “Scan with camera” to photograph each page, or upload photos you already took. Add as many pages as you need.
- 2
Check the corners
Edges are detected automatically. Tap a page to drag the corners into place; the page is flattened even if you shot it at an angle.
- 3
Pick a filter
Auto enhance whitens the paper and sharpens the text. You can also choose grayscale, black & white or keep the original colors.
- 4
Download your PDF
Set the page size, margin and quality, then create one PDF with all your scanned pages in order.
Why use Scan to PDF
A real scanner look
Shadows and uneven light are removed and the paper turns white, so phone photos look like flatbed scans.
Private by design
Your camera feed and photos are processed in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored on a server.
Free, no app, no limits
No subscription, no watermark and no waiting for an email link. Scan up to 60 pages per PDF.
Scan filters explained
- Auto enhance: evens out lighting, removes shadows and makes the paper white while keeping colored ink, stamps and signatures. The best choice for most documents.
- Grayscale: the same cleanup without color. Good for printed letters and forms.
- Black & white: pure black text on white paper, the sharpest and smallest result for text-only pages and receipts.
- Original: keeps the photo colors exactly as taken, for photos, IDs and colorful brochures.
What people scan to PDF
Receipts and invoices for expense claims, signed contracts and forms that must be returned as a PDF, ID cards and certificates for online applications, homework and handwritten notes, old letters and family documents you want to keep digitally. Each one becomes a tidy, easy-to-share PDF in under a minute.
Need to do more with your scan? Sign it with our Sign PDF tool, shrink it with Compress PDF, or combine it with other files using Merge PDF.
Tips for the best scan
- Place the page on a dark, plain surface so its edges stand out.
- Use daylight or a bright room and avoid your own shadow falling across the page.
- Hold the phone roughly parallel to the paper and fill most of the frame with the page.
- If the edges are not found exactly, drag the four corners; the magnifier helps you place them precisely.
Scan to PDF: frequently asked questions
Can I scan documents without installing an app?
Yes. The scanner runs in your web browser on Android, iPhone, tablets and computers with a webcam. Just open this page and tap “Scan with camera”.
Is the Scan to PDF tool free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up, no watermark and no subscription. Your PDF downloads immediately.
Are my scans uploaded anywhere?
No. The camera feed, your photos and the finished PDF are all processed inside your browser on your own device and never reach our servers.
How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF?
Keep tapping the shutter button to capture each page, or upload several photos at once. Drag the pages into order and they are saved as one multi-page PDF.
Why can’t I use my camera?
Your browser needs permission to use the camera. Allow it from the camera icon in the address bar. If your device has no camera, upload photos of your documents instead.
Can I scan a photo I already took?
Yes. Click “Upload photos” and choose JPG, PNG or WebP images. HEIC photos from some iPhones cannot be opened by most browsers, so use the camera button or export them as JPG first.
Is the scanned PDF searchable?
The scan is saved as a high-quality image in each PDF page, just like a flatbed scanner produces. Text is not selectable unless you run it through OCR software.
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