The fastest way to translate a PDF depends on what you need
You have three main routes: use a free online translator that handles PDFs directly, convert the PDF to editable text first and then translate, or use translation software built into your browser or operating system. The choice depends on whether you need the translation to stay formatted like the original, whether the PDF has images with text in them, and how many documents you're translating.
Most people start with Google Translate or Microsoft Translator because they're free and handle PDFs without extra steps. If those don't work well — usually because the PDF is scanned images rather than actual text — you'll need to convert the PDF to a Word document or plain text first, then translate that instead.
Key Takeaways
- Google Translate and Microsoft Translator both accept PDF files directly and return a translated PDF in the same layout as the original.
- If your PDF is a scanned image or photograph of text, you need optical character recognition (OCR) software first to turn the image into readable text before translation will work.
- Converting a PDF to a Word document using free tools like Smallpdf or ILovePDF lets you edit the translation and fix mistakes the translator missed.
- Browser translation tools work instantly but only on PDFs you open in that browser, and they don't save the translated version.
- Paid translation services like DeepL or professional human translators give better results for technical documents, contracts, or anything where accuracy matters.
Using Google Translate to translate a PDF directly
Go to Google Translate at translate.google.com. In the left panel, click the upload icon (it looks like a document with an arrow pointing up). Select "Choose File" and pick your PDF from your computer. Google will show you the original on the left and the translation on the right.
The translated PDF keeps the original layout, images, and formatting. You can download it by clicking the download button in the top right. This works well for PDFs that are actual text — not scanned images — and for documents where perfect formatting matters more than perfect word choice.
One limitation: Google Translate sometimes misses context. A word that means different things depending on the sentence might get translated the same way every time. For legal documents, medical records, or anything where a wrong word causes real problems, read through the translation and fix obvious mistakes before you use it.
Using Microsoft Translator for PDFs
Microsoft Translator works almost identically to Google Translate. Go to bing.com/translator and click the document icon on the left side. Upload your PDF the same way. The translation appears on the right, and you can download the translated PDF.
Microsoft Translator sometimes handles certain languages better than Google does — particularly less common languages and regional dialects. If Google's translation looks wrong, try Microsoft's version of the same document. You don't need a Microsoft account; it's free without signing in.
Both Google and Microsoft keep copies of documents you upload for a limited time to improve their translation systems. If your PDF contains private information — medical details, financial records, passwords — consider converting it to text and translating it locally instead, or use a paid service that promises not to store your documents.
Converting a PDF to Word, then translating
If you want to edit the translation or if the direct translation looks wrong, convert the PDF to a Word document first. Use a free converter like Smallpdf.com or ILovePDF.com. Upload your PDF, select "PDF to Word," and download the Word file.
Open the Word document in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Copy all the text, paste it into Google Translate or Microsoft Translator, and copy the translation back into the document. Now you can fix mistakes, adjust phrasing, and save the translated version as a Word file or convert it back to PDF.
This route takes longer but gives you control. You can see exactly what was translated, catch errors the machine missed, and keep a version you've approved. It's worth the extra steps for anything important — contracts, medical information, official documents.
What to do if your PDF is a scanned image
If your PDF is a photograph or scan of a printed page, the translator won't recognize the text. You'll see the image come back unchanged. You need optical character recognition (OCR) software first to convert the image into actual text.
Free OCR tools include Smallpdf.com (click "OCR" instead of "PDF to Word"), OnlineOCR.net, and Google Drive (upload the PDF, right-click it, select "Open with," then "Google Docs" — Google will read the text automatically). After OCR converts the image to text, you can translate it using any of the methods above.
OCR isn't perfect. Handwriting usually doesn't work. Blurry text gets misread. If the OCR output looks wrong, you may need to fix it by hand before translating, or consider hiring a human translator instead.
Using your browser or phone to translate PDFs
If you open a PDF in Google Chrome, right-click anywhere on the page and select "Translate to [your language]." Chrome will translate the PDF instantly without uploading it anywhere. The translation stays in your browser only — you can't save it unless you take a screenshot or print it to PDF.
On Safari (Mac and iPhone), open the PDF and look for the translation icon in the address bar. Click it and select your language. On Microsoft Edge, the process is the same as Chrome.
Browser translation is fast and keeps your document private, but it's temporary. If you need to save the translated version, use Google Translate or Microsoft Translator instead, which let you download the result.
When to use paid translation services
DeepL (deepl.com) is a paid translator that many people find more accurate than Google for European languages and technical documents. You can upload a PDF and download the translation. It costs money for large documents but offers a free tier for smaller files.
For contracts, medical records, legal documents, or anything where a mistranslation costs you money or causes harm, hire a professional human translator. They cost more but catch context Google misses and understand cultural differences. Find translators through ProZ.com, Upwork, or local translation agencies.
If you're translating the same type of document repeatedly — like customer emails or product descriptions — consider a specialized translation service like Lokalise or Crowdin, which are built for businesses and remember your terminology choices across documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I translate a PDF that's password protected?
No. You'll need to remove the password first. Use a free PDF password remover like Smallpdf.com or ILovePDF.com (click "Unlock PDF"), download the unprotected version, then translate it. This only works if you know the password or if the PDF allows copying text.
Will the translated PDF look exactly like the original?
Google Translate and Microsoft Translator preserve layout and formatting well for most PDFs. However, if the original has complex formatting, multiple columns, or unusual fonts, some spacing might shift. Always check the download before you share it.
What languages can I translate to and from?
Google Translate supports over 100 languages. Microsoft Translator supports around 70. Less common languages work but may be less accurate. Check the language list on the translator's website before uploading your document.
Is it safe to upload my PDF to Google Translate or Microsoft Translator?
Both companies store uploaded documents temporarily to improve their systems. If your PDF contains sensitive information like passwords, medical details, or financial records, use browser translation instead, or convert the PDF to text and translate locally using software you control.
Can I translate a PDF with images and text mixed together?
Google Translate and Microsoft Translator will translate the text but leave images unchanged. If the images contain text you need translated, you'll need to extract that text separately using OCR, translate it, and add it back to the document manually.