PDF to Markdown Converter

Convert PDF to Markdown online with local text-layer extraction, simple table support, and editable Markdown output.

Drop your PDF here, or click to upload. Up to 50MB.

Ready to convert

PDF to Markdown turns a native PDF with selectable text into editable Markdown you can review and save as a .md file. Upload a report, handout, spec, or exported document, then check the output before using it in notes or documentation. The PDF to Markdown converter runs in your browser for text-layer PDFs, so the file does not leave your device unless you choose the separate AI mode for files that need extra help.

How to convert PDF to Markdown online

Upload a .pdf file or drop it into the converter. The PDF to Markdown tool checks the PDF text layer, extracts readable text with PDF.js, then rebuilds the result as Markdown. You can edit the Markdown, preview the rendered document, copy the output, or download a .md file. This pdf to markdown online flow works best for native PDFs exported from Word, Google Docs, Pages, LaTeX, or a documentation system where the text is selectable. If you need to convert PDF to Markdown online without installing a library, start here and review the result before reuse.

PDF table to Markdown: what simple tables keep

Simple PDF to Markdown table conversion works when the PDF text layer exposes clear rows and columns. For example, a four-column metrics table can become | Metric | Before | After | Delta |, which is easier to inspect and reuse. Complex tables are different: merged cells, nested tables, cross-page tables, and dense financial layouts may still need manual review. The honest rule is simple: use this pdf to markdown converter for readable first-pass structure, then compare important tables against the source PDF before relying on the data. Treat important PDF to Markdown table output as reviewable source text, not as a final audit artifact.

AI PDF to Markdown for LLM context

Use Markdown output for LLM workflows when raw PDF copy-paste produces broken line breaks, lost headings, or flattened tables. PDF to Markdown output gives prompts, embeddings, and retrieval pipelines clearer boundaries: headings can become chunk markers, lists stay grouped, and simple tables keep row and column relationships. If you need to convert PDF to Markdown for LLM context, the goal is cleaner source text rather than a summary. The converter does not rewrite the document for you; it gives the next AI step less document noise to fight.

Converting scanned PDFs with AI mode and OCR

A scanned PDF is an image of a page, not a normal text document. Standard browser conversion cannot read image-only pages, so the tool detects missing text layers and recommends AI mode instead of pretending the scan was converted. AI mode is opt-in and sends the PDF for third-party file parsing, so it has a different privacy path from local browser conversion. Use it for scanned pdf to markdown or ocr pdf to markdown jobs, then verify names, numbers, formulas, and tables against the original PDF.

Using converted Markdown with Obsidian and Notion

This PDF to Markdown workflow is useful when a source PDF needs to become editable notes. Save the .md file, clean headings, add links, and move the result into Obsidian, Notion, Logseq, or a docs repo. Native PDFs with plain text, lists, code blocks, and simple tables are the strongest fit. Math-heavy papers, images, charts, and handwritten scans need extra review because the current browser path does not rebuild formulas, export image assets, or preserve PDF hyperlinks.

Offline behavior and privacy for native PDFs

PDF to Markdown standard mode is browser-first: after the page loads, native PDFs are processed locally from the file you choose. The PDF is read in the browser, and Markdown output is generated on your device. This is not a full offline desktop app, and AI mode is not local. If you choose AI mode for a scan or complex layout, the file is uploaded to the conversion API and handled by a third-party parser. For sensitive legal, medical, financial, or client documents, use standard mode when the PDF has selectable text and avoid AI mode unless that data flow is acceptable.

What kinds of PDFs work with this tool?

Native PDFs

PDFs exported from Word, Google Docs, LaTeX, Pages, or any modern editor. These have a real text layer, so we extract and structure them entirely in your browser — instant, free, and your file never leaves your device.

Scanned PDFs and image-based documents

PDFs that are essentially scans or photos of paper — old contracts, receipts, books, handwritten notes — with no embedded text layer. These need OCR. Enable AI mode for third-party file parsing and text/table recovery.

Complex layouts and mixed documents

Financial reports with nested tables, multi-column academic papers, slide decks exported to PDF, or documents with math equations. We handle the simple pages in your browser and offer AI mode for the pages where structure recovery is harder.

How it works

Upload a PDF file

Upload a .pdf file or drop it into the converter. The PDF to Markdown tool checks the text layer in your browser for native PDFs.

Review the Markdown output

Edit the Markdown, preview the rendered document, copy the output, or download the PDF to Markdown result as a .md file.

Use AI mode when needed

For scanned or complex files, use opt-in AI mode with OCR and file parsing, then verify names, numbers, formulas, and tables.

Where your file actually goes

We handle your file in one of two ways, depending on what you upload — both fully transparent.

Native PDFs convert entirely in your browser. No upload, no server log, no stored copy.
AI mode (opt-in) sends your file to a third-party OCR and file parsing path. You're warned before it happens, and this privacy path is different from local browser conversion.

We never log file contents, store your conversions, train on your data, or sell behavioral profiles. Analytics is used only to understand aggregate site usage.

PDF to Markdown use cases

LLM and RAG preparation

Prepare Markdown for LLM context, embeddings, and retrieval pipelines where headings, lists, and tables are easier to chunk than raw copied PDF text.

Obsidian and Notion notes

Turn a PDF handout, paper, or report into an editable Markdown file before adding backlinks, tags, summaries, and personal notes.

Documentation migration

Move exported PDF guides, specs, or old manuals into Markdown so the text can be cleaned and reused in a docs site or wiki.

Table review

Convert simple PDF tables into Markdown tables, then compare important values against the original before publishing or sending them to an AI tool.

PDF to Markdown features

Convert native PDFs with selectable text into editable Markdown in the browser.
Use a PDF to Markdown free workflow for one PDF file at a time, up to the current 50MB file limit.
Keep basic headings, paragraphs, unordered lists, simple tables, and some code blocks when the PDF text layer exposes enough structure.
Detect image-only or scanned PDFs and show an AI mode recommendation instead of returning empty text as a finished conversion.
Review, edit, copy, and download the PDF to Markdown result as a .md file.
Preview rendered Markdown before using it in notes, docs, prompts, or a RAG pipeline.
Use opt-in AI mode for scanned PDF cases, with a different upload and privacy path.
No batch conversion, image extraction, PDF link preservation, or guaranteed formula-to-LaTeX conversion in the current browser path.

From PDF to Markdown

A 4-page engineering memo with headings, lists, tables, and code blocks — converted in 1.2 seconds.

Input PDF

Project Brief

Goal: convert product notes, tables, and action items from a PDF into editable text.

Next steps
1. Extract headings
2. Preserve tables
3. Send clean Markdown to the docs repo

Markdown output

## Project Brief

Goal: convert product notes, tables, and action items from a PDF into editable text.

### Next steps

1. Extract headings
2. Preserve tables
3. Send clean Markdown to the docs repo

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert a PDF into Markdown for free?

Upload a PDF with selectable text, wait for the browser conversion, then review the Markdown output. You can copy the PDF to Markdown result or download it as a .md file. This pdf to markdown free path is designed for native PDFs and does not require an account.

What is the best way to turn a PDF into Markdown?

The best way depends on the PDF. If the file has selectable text, use the browser converter first because it avoids upload and keeps the workflow fast. If the file is scanned or image-only, standard extraction will not work; use opt-in AI mode or an OCR workflow, then proofread the result.

Can I convert scanned PDFs to Markdown?

Standard mode cannot convert image-only scans because there is no text layer to extract. The tool detects that case and recommends AI mode for scanned pdf to markdown work. AI mode is opt-in, uses an upload path, and should be checked carefully for OCR mistakes.

Does my PDF get uploaded to a server?

In standard mode, no. Native PDFs are processed in your browser from the file you select. If you choose AI mode for a scan or complex layout, the PDF is uploaded to the conversion API and handled by a third-party parser. The page should treat those as two different privacy modes.

How does Markdown output help AI and LLMs?

Markdown is easier for AI tools to inspect than noisy copied PDF text. It can preserve heading boundaries, list structure, simple tables, and code fences, which helps when you prepare context for ChatGPT, Claude, embeddings, or RAG. The converter does not summarize or interpret the file; it prepares cleaner source text.

Can I use the Markdown output in Obsidian or Notion?

Yes. Download the .md file after conversion, then import or paste it into Obsidian, Notion, Logseq, or another Markdown-friendly workspace. Expect to review headings, tables, math-heavy sections, and any scanned pages before treating the note as final.

Will tables, headings, links, and formulas be preserved?

Basic headings, simple tables, lists, and some code blocks are supported when they are visible in the PDF text layer. PDF links, extracted images, and guaranteed formula-to-LaTeX conversion are not supported in the current browser path. Complex tables and multi-column layouts should be reviewed against the original PDF.

Can I convert multiple PDF files at once?

Not yet. The current PDF to Markdown tool accepts one PDF file at a time. If you have multiple PDFs, convert them one by one and review each Markdown file separately. This avoids implying batch support that the current product does not provide.