From photo to plain language, step by step
Two technologies do the work: OCR reads the characters inside your image, then machine translation turns them into your language.
Translate a photo in 3 easy steps
No learning curve. If you can take a picture, you can use this tool.
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Upload your image
Drag & drop, browse, or paste a photo or screenshot in JPG, PNG or WebP.
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Pick languages
Leave the source on Auto Detect and choose the language you want to read it in.
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Get your result
See the original and translated text side by side, then copy or download it.
What is OCR?
OCR stands for optical character recognition. It is the step that turns the pixels of a photograph into actual characters a computer can work with. The model looks for shapes it recognises as letters, groups them into words and lines, and hands that text on to be translated.
This is why photo quality matters more than anything else: if the OCR step misreads a character, the translation faithfully translates the wrong word. A sharp, well-lit image gives far better results than a blurry one.
Seven tips for better accuracy
- Use good lighting — natural daylight works best; avoid harsh shadows.
- Hold the camera straight — shoot the text head-on, not at an angle.
- Get close — fill the frame with text so the letters are large and clear.
- Avoid glare — tilt glossy pages or screens slightly to remove reflections.
- Crop extra content — include only the text you need translated.
- Pick the source language manually if auto-detect gets it wrong.
- Review numbers — always double-check prices, dates and amounts.
Supported formats and languages
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Image formats | JPG, PNG, WebP |
| Max file size | 5 MB |
| Languages | 100+ including Urdu, Arabic, Chinese and Hindi |
| Handwriting | Clear, neat handwriting is supported |
| Cost | Free, no signup |
Common mistakes to avoid
Most poor translations come from poor input. Blurry photos, very small text, cursive handwriting, and images mixing several languages together are the usual culprits.
Questions? We've got answers.
Everything you need to know about translating images.
An image translator uses OCR (optical character recognition) to read the text inside a photo or screenshot, then translates it into another language. You see both the original and the translated text side by side.
Upload your photo, keep the source on Auto Detect or choose a language, pick your target language and press Translate. Your result appears in a few seconds.
Yes — translation is completely free. No subscription, payment method or credit card is needed.
No. You can upload an image and translate it instantly without signing up or logging in.
JPG, PNG and WebP images up to 5 MB. For PDFs, upload a screenshot of the page you need.
Images are used only to produce your translation. Your recent history is stored locally in your own browser, and you can clear it at any time.
Clear, neat handwriting usually works well. Cursive, blurry or faded text may produce errors, so always review the result.
Accuracy depends mostly on photo quality. A sharp, well-lit, head-on photo gives far better results than a blurry or angled one. Always double-check prices, dates and amounts.
Break the language barrier today
Free, fast and private image translation — no account, no limits on curiosity.
Translate an image now