Scanned PDF Converter is a free online tool that transforms your digital assets (PDF, DOCX or images like JPEG & PNG) to look like they've been physically scanned. This digital solution is ideal for situations where you need a document to have the authentic appearance of being manually scanned.

With customizable settings for rotation, brightness, blur, noise, and border effects, you can achieve a realistic scanned appearance without needing access to physical scanner hardware. The intuitive interface provides a real-time preview so you can see exactly how your document will look before downloading the final result.

Many institutions and processes still require the appearance of scanned documents for authenticity purposes. Our conversion tool bridges this gap by providing a digital alternative that doesn't compromise document quality.

Key Features of Our Scanned PDF Converter

Realistic Scanning Effects: Customizable parameters for authentic results
Multi-Page Support: Process multiple-page documents with consistent effects
Fast Processing: Quick conversion even for large documents
Zero Watermarks: Clean output without any tool branding
Accessibility: Works on desktop and mobile devices
Free to Use: No hidden fees or premium restrictions

Common Use Cases

Our document scanner tool is valuable in many scenarios where digitally created PDFs need to appear as if they were physically scanned:

Document Submissions: When digital signatures aren't accepted but scanned signatures are
Legacy Systems: For organizations that still require the appearance of physical documentation
Educational Purposes: For submitting assignments that require handwritten work
Historical Document Recreation: Creating authentic-looking historical documents
Visual Demonstrations: For tutorials and educational materials about document processing

Privacy and Security

This tool processes all files locally within your browser, ensuring that your data remains private and secure. The only exception is Microsoft Word (.docx) documents, which are converted to PDF format prior to processing to preserve their layout and formatting. However, these DOCX files are not stored on any server; the conversion process occurs entirely on your device. For maximum privacy, especially when handling sensitive or confidential DOCX files, we recommend converting them to PDF using your preferred method before uploading.

Technical Specifications

Compatible Formats: PDF documents (all versions), MS Word (.docx), Images (JPEG, PNG, WEBP, GIF)
Maximum File Size: Limitless (Browser dependent) for PDFs and images, 5MB for MS Word (.docx) files
Processing Speed: Typically 1-5 seconds per page depending on complexity
Output Format: Standard PDF with preserved text recognition, or PNG images
Mobile Compatibility: Works on modern mobile browsers with sufficient memory
Random Rotation: When processing multiple pages, each page can have a random rotation variance of ± 0.5 degrees to simulate real-world scanning conditions.

Scanned PDF Converter Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between a scanned PDF and a regular PDF?

Yes, regular PDFs are typically created digitally and contain text layers that are selectable and searchable. Scanned PDFs are images of physical documents and often lack this text layer unless OCR (Optical Character Recognition) has been applied. Our tool maintains the visual appearance of scanned documents while preserving the digital advantages of your original PDF.

Will this affect the text searchability of my document?

The conversion process applies visual effects to make your document look scanned, but it doesn't remove the underlying text layer. However, heavy blur effects might impact OCR software's ability to recognize text if the document is processed again later.

Can I convert multiple document at once?

Currently, our tool processes one document at a time to ensure optimal performance and quality. For batch processing needs, you can convert each document individually.

How do I get the best results when making a PDF look scanned?

For the most authentic scanned look, we recommend using subtle settings: a slight rotation (1-3°), moderate brightness (1.1-1.3), minimal blur (0.2-0.4), and enabling the border option. These settings mimic the imperfections of physical scanning without overdoing the effect.

How to use Online Scanned PDF Converter?

You can convert your documents to look scanned by following these steps:

Upload the document you want to convert by using the drop area, or by browsing from your local device.
Adjust the settings to your preference:
Rotation: Add a slight rotation to simulate how papers can be misaligned during scanning (-10° to 10°).
Brightness: Adjust how light or dark the scanned document appears (0 to 2).
Blur: Add a subtle blur to simulate scanning resolution imperfections (0 to 1).
Border: Toggle on/off to add a subtle border effect around the document.
Review the real-time preview to see how your document will look.
Click the "Download" button to save your scanned-looking PDF.