Translate Text from an Image

Upload a picture and the AI reads the text with OCR, detects its language automatically, and translates it into any of 475 languages. You get clean translated text you can copy, share, or download — no app to install, no signup required.

See a translated image

Keep formatting

Your image, in another language

Real translator outputs, side by side. These examples show Keep formatting; Text only returns the words without the image.

Original · Spanish

Translated · English

A sample notebook translated from Spanish into English.

Examples use sample documents we created or public-domain material.

How to translate a photo or screenshot

  1. 1

    Upload your picture

    Drop in a photo, screenshot or scanned page. We’ll read its text and detect the source language.

  2. 2

    Choose your output

    Select the target language. Choose Text only for the words, or Keep formatting for a translated image.

  3. 3

    Translate and download

    Start the translation. Read and copy the translated text, or download your translated image.

Photos, screenshots and scans

Menus, signs & posters

Read a restaurant menu, street sign or poster in your language. Keep formatting places the translated wording back into the picture.

Screenshots

Translate a chat, app, game or website screenshot. Get the words as text or download a translated screenshot.

Documents & handwriting

Upload a photo of a printed page, form or handwritten note. Clear text and sharp images give the translator more to work with.

Translate a photographed medical report

Arabic, Japanese & more

Translate pictures across supported languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. The source language is detected automatically.

Translate an image into your language

Choose a language to open its image translator. Upload your picture and we’ll detect the source language.

Images to SpanishImages to FrenchImages to GermanImages to Mandarin ChineseImages to JapaneseImages to ArabicImages to HindiImages to PortugueseImages to RussianImages to KoreanImages to ItalianImages to Latin

Have a historical text or handwritten page?

Polytranslator supports Latin, Ancient Greek, Coptic and other historical languages alongside modern ones. Upload a manuscript page, old letter or inscription to try a translation. Legibility and script matter: a clearer photo helps, and difficult handwriting may need expert review.

Have a PDF or a whole document?

Document translator — Word, PowerPoint, Excel and EPUBPDF translator — scanned and digital PDFs

Image translation FAQ

How do I translate an image?
Upload your photo or screenshot, choose the target language, then select Text only or Keep formatting and click Translate. You can read and copy the translated words, or download the translated image when you choose Keep formatting.
Which image files can I upload?
PNG, JPG, JPEG, WEBP and HEIC. Upload a photo, screenshot or scanned page. For a multipage PDF, use the PDF translator. Clear, well-lit images with readable text work best.
Is the image translator free?
You can try it free, with no account needed, and signing in gives you a larger daily allowance. Pro and Scholar are there for heavier use.
Can I translate a picture into English?
Yes. Select English as the target language and upload your picture. You can also translate into Spanish, French, Arabic, Japanese and other supported languages. The source language is detected automatically.
Can I download the translated image, with the text replaced?
Yes — choose Keep formatting. It replaces the source text with the translation inside the image while aiming to preserve the surrounding design. Fonts, spacing and line breaks can change, and AI can make mistakes, so compare the result with your original. Text only returns the translated words without the image layout.
Can I translate an Arabic image to English?
Yes. Upload the Arabic photo, screenshot or scanned page and select English. Keep formatting gives you a translated image; Text only gives you the translated words. Printed text is generally easier to read than stylized calligraphy or handwriting.
Does it work with handwriting and old documents?
It can read clear handwriting and supports historical languages such as Latin, Ancient Greek and Coptic. Results depend on the script, image quality and legibility. Use a sharp, well-lit photo and compare the output with the original; difficult manuscripts may need a specialist.
Is my image stored or shared?
Your file is processed to generate a translation and is not published publicly. Uploaded files and translated document files are retained indefinitely; there is currently no automatic file-deletion period.
Can I translate a photo on my phone?
Yes. Open this page in your phone’s browser and upload a photo or screenshot. Choose the target language and output type, then click Translate. No app installation is needed.
Can I upload a PDF instead?
Yes. Use the PDF translator for a scanned or digital PDF, or the document translator for Word, PowerPoint, Excel and EPUB files. Both produce a translated file that preserves its layout.
How does image translation work?
The translator reads the text in the image and translates it into your selected language, keeping the meaning of the original. Text only returns readable text you can copy. Keep formatting also renders the translated words back into the image, which takes additional processing.