How to convert PDF to TXT
- Drop a text-based PDF file.
- The tool reads the text and layout of every page.
- It rebuilds the content as a TXT file.
- Download and edit it in your favourite app.
Why convert PDF to TXT?
PDF is excellent for sharing, printing and submitting final documents, but it has some limitations:
- Hard to edit
- Large files when they contain scans
- Text extraction depends on how the PDF was made
Converting to TXT gives you:
- Opens everywhere
- Tiny file size
- Easy to copy and search
PDF vs TXT: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | TXT | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Document Format | Plain Text |
| File extension | .txt | |
| Type | Document | Document |
| Compression | Fixed layout | Plain text |
| Transparency | No | No |
| Animation / multi-frame | No | No |
| Introduced | 1993 | 1963 |
| Developed by | Adobe (ISO 32000) | ASCII / Unicode standards |
| MIME type | application/pdf | text/plain |
| Best for | sharing, printing and submitting final documents | notes, raw text and data exchange |
What are PDF and TXT files?
PDF (.pdf)
PDF is the universal format for sharing documents that must look the same everywhere. Fonts, images and layout are locked in, which is why CVs, certificates, admit cards, invoices and official notices are shared as PDF.
TXT (.txt)
TXT is plain, unformatted text. It opens anywhere, is tiny and is perfect for copying content into other apps, but it holds no fonts, images or layout.
Tips for the best TXT results
- Works best with PDFs created from Word, Excel or a website (where you can select the text). For scanned PDFs, convert pages to images and use Image to Word (OCR).
- Bangla PDFs made with Unicode fonts extract correctly. PDFs made with Bijoy/SutonnyMJ will extract as Bijoy text — run it through Bijoy to Unicode.
- Bookmark this page or install the app to convert PDF files offline next time.
Private by design: how this converter works
Unlike typical online converters that upload your file to a remote server, this PDF to Text converter processes everything on your own device using PDF.js (by Mozilla), pdf-lib and other open-source libraries compiled for the browser. Your file is read into browser memory, converted, and offered back as a download — it is never sent to us.
- No upload wait — conversion starts instantly, even on slow mobile data.
- Private — safe for NID copies, certificates, bank statements and personal photos.
- No limits — no daily quota, no queue and no watermark.
- Offline-ready — once loaded, many tools keep working without internet.
Frequently asked questions
Is this PDF to TXT converter free?
Yes — free, unlimited and without watermarks or sign-up.
Are my PDF files uploaded to a server?
No. Conversion happens inside your browser on your own device, so your files stay private.
Will I lose quality converting PDF to TXT?
Text, paragraphs and basic structure are extracted from the PDF. Complex layouts may need light editing. Scanned PDFs (images of text) contain no selectable text — use the Image to Word OCR converter for those.
Can I convert several files at once?
Yes. Drop multiple files and download them individually or together as a ZIP.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. It works in Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox on phones, tablets and computers. You can also install the site as an app.
What is the difference between PDF and TXT?
PDF (Portable Document Format) is fixed layout and best for sharing, printing and submitting final documents, while TXT (Plain Text) is plain text and best for notes, raw text and data exchange.