Translate PDF Text Online: Machine Translation
Extract text from a PDF and translate it with your browser's on-device translator, or a third-party service after you opt in.
Translate PDF Text
Machine-translates the text of a PDF. Layout and images are not preserved.
Scanned PDFs need OCR first
What this tool does and who it is for
This tool extracts the text of a PDF and machine-translates it into one of 12 languages, with an original-versus-translation preview by page. You can download the result as a .txt file, or as a simple translated PDF for Latin-script languages.
Translation first uses your browser's built-in on-device Translator (Chrome 138 and later, where available), so the text stays on your device. If that cannot handle the language pair, an optional fallback sends the text to MyMemory, a free third-party service, but only after you tick a consent box.
Only text is translated. The original layout, tables and images are not preserved, and quality is that of machine translation.
Official Formula / Technical Standard
Real-World Worked Scenario
Translating an English service agreement into Spanish preserves all numbered clause designations.
When people use it
Understanding a foreign-language document
Get the gist of a letter, manual or notice you cannot read.
Rough draft for a translator
Produce a starting point, then have a qualified person review and certify it.
Checking names and numbers
Read the original beside the translation by page to catch obvious errors.
Notes for US users
- USCIS requires a complete English translation with the translator's certification of competence and accuracy. Machine output does not meet that standard.
- Courts and state agencies have their own rules for translated exhibits. Check them first.
- Medical and consent forms for patients with limited English should use qualified translators, not unreviewed machine output.
Limits and what to double-check
- •Machine translation makes mistakes, especially with names, legal terms, idioms and numbers. Do not rely on it for legal, medical or immigration use.
- •The MyMemory fallback sends text to a third party and has a small free daily limit; long documents may stop part-way.
- •Non-Latin targets (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Arabic, Russian) download as .txt only because standard PDF fonts cannot display them. Scanned PDFs need OCR first.
Expert Best Practices & Common Pitfalls
Recommended Best Practices
- •Compare critical indemnification and payment clauses side-by-side with the original text.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Assuming machine translation replaces certified human legal review for court proceedings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Upload PDF
Select the document you want to translate.
Pick Target Language
Choose Spanish, French, German, Japanese, etc.
Translate
Click 'Translate to [Language]'.
Review & Copy
Inspect the translated preview and copy or save.
Features & Security Architecture
- On-device first: uses your browser translator when available; otherwise text is sent to MyMemory only after you consent
- Side-by-Side Preview: Compare source text with translated output for accuracy verification
- Lossless Text Extraction: Preserves paragraph breaks and numbered clause ordering
- 100% Private: Confidential agreements and international correspondence stay in your browser
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this translation private?▼
Yes. Processing runs in your browser runtime without logging your document contents.
Does my document leave my browser?▼
Not with the built-in browser translator, which runs on your device. If you tick the consent box and the fallback is used, the extracted text is sent to MyMemory (api.mymemory.translated.net) and leaves your browser. The page tells you which engine was used.
Why is there no translated PDF for Chinese or Arabic?▼
Standard PDF fonts only cover Latin characters. Rather than produce a PDF full of question marks, those languages download as a UTF-8 .txt file.
Does the translation keep my layout?▼
No. Text is extracted, translated and laid out again as plain wrapped text. Images, tables and formatting are not carried over.
Why did translation stop part-way?▼
The free MyMemory service limits how much text one network can translate per day. Try a shorter section, wait a day, or use a browser with built-in translation such as recent Chrome.
What does USCIS require for translations?▼
USCIS asks for a full English translation with a certification that the translator is competent in both languages and the translation is accurate. This tool provides neither, so use a qualified translator for immigration filings.