Quick answer
A digital PDF contains real text, fonts and vector graphics, so you can select and search the words. A scanned PDF contains one image per page, like a photo of paper, so text cannot be selected unless OCR was added. To check, try to select a word or search with Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac): if nothing is found, the page is an image.
Key takeaways
- Digital PDF = text and vectors; scanned PDF = images of pages.
- The 10-second test: select a word or search for it.
- Scanned PDFs are larger, not searchable and harder to edit.
- OCR adds an invisible text layer to a scanned PDF but does not restore the original layout.
- Digital → scanned look: a scan-effect tool. Scanned → searchable: OCR.
The difference in one table
| Digital PDF | Scanned PDF | Scanned PDF + OCR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Exported from Word, Google Docs, a browser, an app | A scanner or phone camera captures paper | A scan with a hidden text layer added |
| Content | Text, fonts, vectors | One image per page | Image + invisible text |
| Select and copy text | Yes | No | Yes, with possible errors |
| Search (Ctrl+F) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Screen readers | Good | Not readable | Partly |
| Zooming in | Always sharp | Gets pixelated | Gets pixelated |
| Typical size, 10 pages | 100–500 KB | 1–10 MB | 1–10 MB |
| Easy to edit | Yes | No | Limited |
Sizes are typical ranges and vary with resolution and compression.
How to tell which one you have
- Select a word. If you can highlight individual words, the page contains text (digital, or scanned with OCR).
- Search. Press Ctrl+F (Cmd+F) and search for a word you can see. No result means the page is an image.
- Zoom to 400%. Digital text stays crisp; scanned text breaks into pixels and shows grain.
- Check the properties. In your PDF reader, document properties often show the producer: a scanner model or scanning app suggests a scan; Word, Chrome or an export library suggests a digital PDF.
When each one is the right choice
Use a digital PDF when
- the document will be edited, searched or read with assistive technology;
- file size matters;
- the recipient needs to copy data from it.
A scanned PDF (or scanned look) is expected when
- a portal or office asks for a “scanned copy” of a signed or printed document;
- you want to match the style of an existing paper archive;
- you need the content flattened so form fields and layers cannot be changed easily;
- you are making a mockup, prop or presentation that should look like paper.
Converting in both directions
| You have | You need | How |
|---|---|---|
| Digital PDF | Scanned-looking PDF | PDF2Scan: rasterizes pages and adds the scan look in your browser (guide) |
| Digital PDF | Flattened PDF that still looks digital | “Print to PDF” or a flatten option in your PDF editor |
| Scanned PDF | Searchable PDF | OCR in Adobe Acrobat, OCRmyPDF or your scanner’s software |
| Scanned PDF | Editable Word file | OCR export to DOCX, then proofread carefully |
| Images (JPG, PNG) | Scanned PDF | PDF2Scan with PDF output (guide) |
Accessibility note
Scanned PDFs without OCR cannot be read by screen readers. If a document will be published or shared widely, keep a digital or OCR’d version available alongside the scanned one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a scanned PDF?
A PDF in which each page is an image, typically produced by a scanner or phone camera. Its text cannot be selected or searched unless OCR was applied.
How do I know if a PDF is scanned?
Try to select a word or search for it with Ctrl+F. If you cannot select it or the search finds nothing, the page is an image, so it is scanned or rasterized.
Is a scanned PDF bigger than a digital PDF?
Usually yes, often 5 to 20 times larger, because every page is stored as an image.
Can I turn a digital PDF into a scanned PDF?
Yes. A scan-effect tool such as PDF2Scan rasterizes the pages and adds scanner imperfections, without a printer or scanner.
Does OCR make a scanned PDF digital?
It makes it searchable by adding an invisible text layer, but the page is still an image and the original fonts and layout are not restored.