Chinese OCR Tools for Reading & Translation
Turn Chinese text in images, screenshots, PDFs, and photos into editable text with OCR (Optical Character Recognition). These tools can help you copy Chinese characters from materials that would otherwise require manual typing, and some also offer translation, pronunciation, or text lookup features.
Already Have OCR on Your Device?
You may not need a separate OCR app or website. Many phones, tablets, and computers already have tools that can recognize Chinese text in photos, screenshots, and images. Choose a tool below based on what you want to do with the text.
Built-In OCR
★ Copy Chinese text from photos and paused videos without typing the characters. Apple Live Text is a built-in iPhone and iPad feature supports simplified and traditional Chinese, with options to translate selected text or paste it into another app. Apple’s guide explains how to use it on compatible devices.
Built Into Your Device
★ Copy and translate Chinese text directly from photos on a Mac. Apple's Live Text in Preview guide explains how to select, copy, look up, and translate text found in photos and images using the free Preview app built into macOS. This is especially useful for Mandarin learners who want to extract Chinese characters from screenshots, signs, or other images without retyping them.
Built Into Your Device
★ Select, copy, translate, and listen to Chinese text directly from photos or screenshots. Google Lens is a free visual search tool that lets you highlight specific text in an image, translate Chinese characters, copy text for further study, or hear selected text read aloud. You can also use your camera to translate printed Chinese on signs, menus, and other materials. Find step-by-step instructions on their website. Also available on Android and iOS through the Google app.
Built Into Your Device
★ Translate Chinese text, copy characters from images, and identify objects using your device's camera. Samsung Bixby Vision is a free, built-in visual recognition tool for compatible Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. It lets you translate Chinese text on signs, menus, and other printed materials, extract and copy text from photos, search for similar images, and identify objects. You can access it through the Camera, Gallery, or Samsung Internet app, depending on your device.
Built Into Your Device
★ Translate Chinese text, copy characters from images, and identify objects using your device's camera. Samsung Bixby Vision is a free, built-in visual recognition tool for compatible Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. It lets you translate Chinese text on signs, menus, and other printed materials, extract and copy text from photos, search for similar images, and identify objects. You can access it through the Camera, Gallery, or Samsung Internet app, depending on your device.
Built Into Your DeviceOCR Tools
★ Turn scanned Chinese PDFs into searchable, copyable text. Adobe Acrobat Online OCR is a free browser-based tool that recognizes text in scanned or image-only PDFs, allowing you to search, highlight, and copy characters for translation or study. It supports Traditional Chinese and processes multipage documents while preserving their original layout. A free Adobe account is required to download your processed PDF, while advanced editing features require a paid subscription. Access the tool on their website. Mobile OCR features are also available with a paid subscription. Available on Android and iOS.
Free Web-Based
★ Translate Chinese text instantly using your iPhone camera or saved photos. Apple Translate is a free, built-in app for iPhone and iPad that lets you translate Simplified and Traditional Chinese text on signs, menus, documents, and other printed materials. Point your camera at Chinese text to see translations in real time, or select an existing photo from your library. You can also copy, save, and listen to translations. Find instructions on their website. Available on iOS.
Free App
★ Copy and translate Chinese text from images, PDFs, and video subtitles without retyping. Copyfish is a free, open-source browser extension that uses OCR technology to extract text from screenshots, webpages, scanned documents, and videos. It supports Simplified and Traditional Chinese, lets you copy recognized characters into dictionaries or study notes, and offers translation through Google Translate and DeepL. A repeat-capture feature is particularly useful for reading Chinese subtitles while watching videos. Find instructions on their website. Available for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. See our CopyFish tutorial here.
Free Chrome Extension
★ Extract Chinese characters from scanned PDFs and images without retyping. Google Drive is a cloud storage service with built-in OCR capabilities that can convert images and scanned PDFs containing Simplified or Traditional Chinese into editable text. Upload a JPG, PNG, or PDF, then right-click the file and select "Open with Google Docs" to extract text for copying, translation, or study. A free Google account includes 15 GB of storage shared with Gmail and Google Photos, with paid upgrades available. Access it through their website. Also available on Android and iOS.
Free Web-Based / App
★ Translate typed text, speech, and photos for free. Google Translate supports simplified and traditional Chinese, with camera translation and handwriting input available in the mobile apps. Translate text, images, documents, and webpages on their website. Also available on Android and iOS.
Free Web-Based / App
★ Scan Chinese text to see instant translations, pinyin, and pronunciation, then save vocabulary as flashcards. Novli (formerly Readly) is a Chinese reading and vocabulary app that lets you photograph text from books, textbooks, and other materials or upload images to make Chinese characters interactive. Tap words for translations and pinyin, listen to audio, ask AI questions about difficult passages, and create Anki-style flashcards with spaced repetition. The app offers limited free features and paid subscriptions for additional access. Learn more on their website. Also available on Android and iOS.
Free / Paid App
★ Translate Chinese text, images, handwriting, and spoken conversations with one tool. Naver Papago is an AI-powered translation service supporting Simplified and Traditional Chinese. Translate typed or handwritten characters, extract and translate text from photos, listen to pronunciation, and use voice or two-way conversation translation to practice speaking. Additional features include dictionary definitions, offline translation, and document translation. Core features are free, with paid Papago Plus plans offering expanded translation limits and advanced tools. Visit their website. Also available on Android and iOS.
Free / Paid - Web-Based & App
★ Instantly identify Chinese characters in printed materials and images using your phone's camera. Pleco OCR is a paid add-on for the free Pleco Chinese Dictionary app that recognizes Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters in real time or from saved images. Point your camera at books, signs, menus, or other printed text, then tap recognized words to view definitions and pinyin without typing them manually. A free demonstration is available, and the full OCR feature can be purchased in a bundle. Learn more on their website. Available on Android and iOS.
Paid App Add-on