How to Copy Text From an Image for Free

To copy text from an image, open ToolistHub's free Image to Text tool, add the screenshot or photo, wait while it reads the text, then select Copy text or download a .txt file. Image to Text reads printed English text in JPG, PNG, WebP and BMP images, and it works in your browser, so your images are not uploaded.

How to copy text from an image

1. Open Image to Text on your computer or in your phone's browser.
2. Add the image with Choose images or by dropping it on the drop area. You can add up to 10 images at a time.
3. Wait for the text. The first run downloads the text recognition engine, about 3 MB, from ToolistHub's own server; later runs start faster.
4. Check the text in the box under each image and correct any mistakes; what you type is what gets copied.
5. Select Copy text, or Download .txt to save the text of every image in one file.

What reads well, and what doesn't

Image to Text works best on clear, printed English text: screenshots, documents, signs and labels photographed straight on in good light. Handwriting, blurry or dark photos and complex layouts give poor results, and the layout itself isn't kept, only the text.

When parts of an image were hard to read, a note says so. If the text is sideways or upside down, rotate the image and add it again.

Copy text with what's built into your phone or computer

• iPhone: with Live Text, open the photo, touch and hold a word, adjust the selection and tap Copy. Apple says this needs an iPhone XS, iPhone XR or later with iOS 15 or later; see copying text from photos on iPhone.
• Mac: in Preview, drag to select the text in a photo, Control-click it and choose Copy Text, as Apple's guide to Live Text in Preview explains. Live Text isn't available in all regions or languages.
• Windows: after you take a screenshot with Snipping Tool, select Text actions, then copy the text. Microsoft says the recognition runs on your device; see using Snipping Tool.

Text in a PDF

Image to Text doesn't read PDFs. If the PDF has selectable text, PDF to Word can turn it into an editable document. If it is a scan, turn its pages into images with PDF to JPG first, then read those images here.

Frequently asked questions

How do I copy text from a picture on my phone?

Open Image to Text in your phone's browser, choose the picture and select Copy text when it is done. On an iPhone, Live Text in the Photos app is another option.

Can it read handwriting?

Not well. Image to Text is made for printed English text, and handwriting usually comes out with many mistakes.

Can I copy text from several images at once?

Yes, up to 10 images per run. Download .txt saves the text of all of them in one file, under a heading for each image.

Are my images uploaded?

No. Image to Text reads the images in your browser, and neither the images nor their text are sent to ToolistHub's server.

Conclusion

Add your screenshot or photo to Image to Text, check the recognised text and copy it or save it as a .txt file. For best results, use clear images of printed text taken straight on.