Why Can't You Just Select Text in Images?
When text is part of an image file (JPG, PNG, screenshot), it's rendered as pixels — not as selectable characters. Your computer sees it as a picture, not as text. To copy it, you need a tool that can "read" those pixels and convert them back to text characters.
This process is called OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and here are 5 ways to use it.
Method 1: Free Online OCR Tool (Fastest)
The quickest method that works on any device with a browser — no installation needed.
How to do it:
- Open ImageToText.net's Copy Text from Image tool
- Upload or drag your image into the converter
- Select the language of the text
- Click "Convert to Text"
- Click "Copy" to copy the extracted text to your clipboard
Pros: Free, works instantly, no software to install, supports 28+ languages, your images stay private (processed in your browser)
Cons: Requires an internet connection for the first load
Method 2: Google Lens (Mobile)
If you're on a smartphone, Google Lens is built into most Android phones and available on iOS through the Google app.
How to do it:
- Open Google Lens (or the Google app)
- Point your camera at the text, or select an image from your gallery
- Tap "Text" at the bottom
- Select the text you want to copy
- Tap "Copy"
Pros: Built into Android, works with camera in real-time
Cons: Requires a Google account, sends images to Google's servers
Method 3: Apple Live Text (iOS/Mac)
If you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Live Text is built directly into the operating system.
How to do it:
- Open the image in Photos or any app
- Long-press on the text in the image
- Select the text you want
- Tap "Copy"
Pros: No app needed, built into iOS 15+ and macOS Monterey+
Cons: Only works on Apple devices, limited language support compared to dedicated OCR tools
Method 4: Microsoft PowerToys (Windows)
Windows users can use Microsoft's free PowerToys utility, which includes a "Text Extractor" feature.
How to do it:
- Install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store
- Press
Win + Shift + Tto activate the text extractor - Draw a selection around the text on your screen
- The text is automatically copied to your clipboard
Pros: Works on any text visible on screen, keyboard shortcut is fast
Cons: Windows only, requires installation, only captures what's currently on screen
Method 5: Google Docs (For Scanned Documents)
Google Drive has built-in OCR that activates when you upload an image file.
How to do it:
- Upload your image to Google Drive
- Right-click the image
- Select "Open with > Google Docs"
- Google will create a new document with the extracted text below the original image
Pros: Free, good accuracy, outputs a formatted Google Doc
Cons: Requires uploading to Google's servers, slower than other methods, requires a Google account
Which Method Should You Choose?
| Method | Best For | Privacy | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online OCR Tool | Quick, one-off extractions on any device | ✅ Private (browser-based) | ⚡ Fast |
| Google Lens | Mobile photos and real-time camera text | ❌ Cloud-processed | ⚡ Fast |
| Apple Live Text | Apple users, casual use | ✅ On-device | ⚡ Instant |
| PowerToys | Windows power users, screen text | ✅ On-device | ⚡ Instant |
| Google Docs | Bulk document scanning | ❌ Cloud-processed | 🐢 Slow |
The Best All-Around Option
For most people, a browser-based OCR tool offers the best combination of speed, accuracy, privacy, and convenience. It works on any device (phone, tablet, computer), doesn't require installation, and processes your images locally.
Try it now: Copy Text from Image — upload any image and copy the text in seconds.