Create PDFs From Scanned Images
Turn photos of documents into proper PDF files.
Images to PDF
Use this tool directly in your browser — no signup required.
Use Images to PDF100% private — files are processed locally and never uploaded.
How to Create PDFs From Scanned Images
- 1
Take photos or add existing scans
Photograph your documents with your phone camera, or add images you've already captured.
- 2
Order the pages
If scanning a multi-page document, arrange the photos in the correct reading order.
- 3
Convert to PDF
The tool creates a PDF where each photo becomes a page. The result looks and functions like a scanned document.
Camera Scanning vs. Flatbed Scanning
Not everyone has a flatbed scanner, but everyone has a phone camera. Taking a photo of a document and converting it to PDF produces a perfectly acceptable 'scan' for most purposes — landlord applications, expense reports, personal records.
The quality depends on your photo technique. Hold the phone directly above the document, parallel to the surface. Use even lighting to avoid shadows. Make sure all edges of the document are visible in the frame. A steady hand or a phone mount helps with sharpness.
For best results with phone scans, use your phone's built-in document scanning mode (Apple Notes, Google Drive scan feature) before converting to PDF. These modes auto-crop to the document edges and correct for perspective distortion. The resulting images convert to much cleaner PDFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a phone scan acceptable for official documents?
Depends on the institution. Most landlords, employers, and insurance companies accept phone scans. Government agencies and courts typically require flatbed scans or certified copies.
How do I improve the quality of phone scans?
Photograph in good, even lighting. Hold the phone parallel to the document (not at an angle). Use your phone's document scan mode if available, which auto-corrects perspective and enhances contrast.
Can I make the text in my scanned PDF searchable?
This tool creates an image-based PDF (the photo becomes a page). For searchable text, you'd need OCR (optical character recognition) processing, which is a separate step not currently offered.