Screenshot to Text: step by step
- Take a screenshot: Windows + Shift + S on Windows, Cmd + Shift + 4 on Mac, or your phone's screenshot buttons.
- Paste it on this page with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V, or drop the file in.
- The text appears in a second or two.
- Copy it or download it as a .txt file.
Why screenshots read so well
Text on a screen is perfectly sharp and straight, which is exactly what OCR likes. Results are usually near-perfect. If the text is tiny, zoom in before you take the screenshot.
Handy for
- Error messages and dialog boxes you need to search for or report.
- Text inside images in chats, social posts and slides.
- Paused videos and online lectures.
- Apps that don't let you select text.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to save the screenshot first?
No. Copy it to the clipboard (Windows + Shift + S does this) and paste it straight onto the page.
Does it read code?
Yes, but check symbols like brackets and quotes, and spacing, which OCR sometimes changes.
Are my images uploaded?
No. The text is recognized in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.
Which languages work?
English, Thai, Burmese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Hindi, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Polish and Turkish.
Updated