Convert TIFF to a Searchable PDF
Scanners, copiers, fax servers and document archives often store pages as TIFF files – frequently many pages in one file. OCR PDF turns every page of a TIFF into a PDF page and adds a searchable text layer, so the document can be searched, copied and opened anywhere.
How to Convert a TIFF to a Searchable PDF
- Choose the TIFF Select a .tif or .tiff file – single or multi-page – or several TIFF and image files together.
- Check the pages All pages are converted in your browser and shown in the preview; select only some pages if you like.
- Pick languages and options Add the document languages and, for archives, choose "PDF/A for archiving".
- Download You get one searchable PDF with all pages, plus the recognized text.
TIFF Support in Detail
Multi-page files
Every page of a multi-page TIFF becomes one PDF page, in order; thumbnails stored in the file are skipped.
Fax files
Black-and-white fax pages (CCITT Group 3/4) are supported, and their uneven fax resolution is kept so pages are not stretched.
Common compressions
Uncompressed, LZW, Deflate, PackBits and JPEG-compressed TIFFs are read in the browser.
Mix with other images
Combine TIFF with JPG or PNG files in one run; each image becomes a page.
PDF/A for archives
Choose PDF/A-2b when the TIFFs come from or go to a long-term archive.
Need images back?
To turn a PDF into TIFF images, use PDF to TIFF.
Good to Know
- Pages are stored in the PDF as lossless PNG images. Large color TIFFs can therefore give a large PDF; reduce it afterwards with Compress PDF if needed.
- Very large TIFF files are decoded in the browser and need a lot of memory; on phones, split huge archives into smaller files. The upload limit is 100 MB.
TIFF to Searchable PDF – Frequently Asked Questions
Can it convert multi-page TIFF files?
Yes. All pages are converted to one PDF, in the same order.
Are fax TIFFs supported?
Yes, including Group 3 and Group 4 compressed black-and-white faxes.
Will the quality change?
No. The page images are stored without lossy compression; only a text layer is added.
Is the TIFF uploaded as it is?
No. The TIFF is converted to PDF in your browser; the PDF is then uploaded for OCR and deleted after processing.
Is it free?
Yes – free, without sign-up or watermark.
Turn Your TIFF Files into Searchable PDFs
Drop the TIFF into OCR PDF and download one searchable PDF with every page.
Convert TIFF to Searchable PDF