Learn how to translate PDFs to and from any language online. Translate a full document or get a summary in seconds. It’s free, with no account signup.
Do you have a PDF that's not in your native language?
It's now easier than ever to read in the language you need.
In this article, we'll show you how to translate full PDF documents—and how to get translated summaries of PDFs—using free online tools.
You'll learn how to use Google Translate in a way you've probably never seen before.
You'll also see a new tool from Smallpdf with translation options that didn't exist before. It works for full document translations, and it can also provide a translated summary of a PDF in your preferred language.
Both tools can translate a PDF to and from English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and hundreds of other languages. You don't even have to know the language of the original PDF.
Why Translate PDF Documents (and When AI Helps)
PDF translation has become essential for global communication and collaboration. Whether you're working with international teams, reviewing research papers, or handling multilingual contracts, being able to quickly understand documents in different languages saves time and removes barriers.
Common scenarios where PDF translation comes in handy:
- Research papers – Access academic content published in other languages
- Legal contracts – Understand terms and conditions from international partners
- Educational materials – Study resources originally written in foreign languages
- Marketing content – Review competitor materials or localize your own content
- Technical documentation – Work with manuals and guides from global suppliers
AI-powered translation tools have revolutionized this process by providing instant, accurate translations while preserving document formatting. Instead of manually copying text or hiring professional translators for quick reference, you can now get the gist of any PDF in seconds.
How to Translate a PDF Online for Free
If you want to translate a PDF right away—into nearly any language, for free—the easiest way to do it is with Translate PDF by Smallpdf. Here's how:
Translate an Entire PDF
- Go to the Smallpdf online PDF Translate tool.
- Drag & drop your PDF into the box.
- Select “Entire document,” then click “Translate.”
- Choose the language to translate to from the dropdown.
Full document translated using Smallpdf
The Smallpdf translator is super simple to use. You can read the full version directly in the tool without any signup or download, and you easily copy and paste the translated version if needed.
Get a Translated Summary of a PDF
- Go to the Smallpdf online PDF Translator.
- Drag and drop your PDF into the box.
- Select “Summary,” then click “Translate.” A summary is instantly generated.
- Choose the language to translate to from the dropdown.
- Ask the AI chat anything about your doc to get exactly what you need to know.
- Download your translated PDF summary.
Translated summary of a PDF
This translation summary tool can give you a quick feeling of whether it's worth translating and reading the entire PDF into your native language. It's a great way to grab the gist of a PDF in an instant, so you can save time by getting straight to the point.
For alternative methods like Google Translate, see our FAQ section below.
Key Features of the Smallpdf PDF Translator
Our PDF translator stands out because it's designed specifically for documents, not just text. Here's what makes it special:
OCR for Scanned PDFs and Images
It's got built-in optical character recognition (OCR), so it can even read scanned docs and images. This means you can translate PDFs that were created from photos or scanned documents, not just text-based files.
Preserve Layout and Formatting
Unlike basic text translators, our tool maintains the original document structure. Tables, charts, headers, and formatting stay intact, so your translated PDF looks professional and readable.
Translate in 100+ Languages
The translator supports over 100 languages with automatic language detection. You don't need to know what language the original document is in—the AI figures it out for you and translates to your preferred language.
Works on Any Device
Since it's browser-based, you can translate PDFs on your computer, tablet, or phone without downloading any software. Just open your browser and you're ready to go.
Translate Other File Types
Beyond PDFs, you can also translate Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel files, and even images with text. It's a complete document translation solution.
Safe and Secure by Design
All uploads are encrypted and automatically deleted after 24 hours. We're GDPR compliant and ISO certified, so your sensitive documents stay private and secure throughout the translation process.
Another benefit: You can upload pretty much any size PDF to the translator, so you won't run into document limits that you might hit with other tools like Google Translate.
Popular PDF Translation Pairs
Our PDF translator is available in over 100 languages. Here are some of the most popular translation combinations:
- Spanish to English
- Chinese to English
- Arabic to English
- French to English
- Korean to English
- German to English
You can also use all Smallpdf tools in your preferred language.
Just scroll to the bottom of the homepage, click English in the bottom-right corner, and choose from 24 supported languages. The interface will switch instantly, so you can convert, compress, sign, and translate PDFs in your language of choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Translating PDFs
Will the formatting be preserved?
Yes, our PDF translator maintains the original layout, including tables, images, and formatting. Your translated document will look just like the original.
Can I translate scanned PDFs?
Absolutely! Our built-in OCR technology can read text from scanned documents and images, then translate them accurately.
Is it safe to upload sensitive PDFs?
Yes, all files are encrypted during upload and automatically deleted after one hour. We're GDPR compliant and ISO certified for your security.
Are there file size limits?
Our translator handles much larger files than most alternatives, so you won't run into the size restrictions you might encounter with other tools.
Can I translate into multiple languages?
You can translate the same document into different languages by running it through the translator multiple times with different target languages. Just remember, free uses can only work with two documents a day. Sign up for a 7-day free trial to remove those limits.
Can I Use Google Translate for PDFs?
Yes, Google Translate has a document feature, but it has a 10MB limit and doesn't work consistently with scanned PDFs. You can access the Google Translate Document tool, choose your languages, and upload your PDF. However, for larger files or scanned documents, the Smallpdf PDF Translator is more reliable.
Do More With Your Translated PDF
Once you translate your PDF into the language you need, Smallpdf has over 30 other useful tools for converting, organizing, and editing PDFs—all for free. Here's a few favorites:
- Merge PDF - Combine multiple PDF files into one.
- Split PDF - Extract translated PDF pages or separate them into different files.
- PDF Converter - Transform your translated PDFs into other formats like Word or Excel.
- Password Protect PDF - Encrypt your PDFs with a password.
- Edit PDF - Annotate or add images, shapes, and drawings onto the translated file.
- Delete Pages From PDF - Remove unwanted pages from PDFs.
- PDF Summarizer - Summarize and query PDFs for additional insights.
And that's a partial list. Did we mention you don't need to sign up or provide an email address to do all those things?
It's truly remarkable how small the world has become. Despite the shrinking digital distance, different languages remain. And that's amazing! In Switzerland, where Smallpdf was born, there are four national languages, and there are hundreds of other written languages across the world.
With the help of AI and PDF translate tools from Google and Smallpdf, working and learning across languages has never been easier. You can translate a PDF from German to English, or English to Spanish in seconds—along with French, Chinese, Russian, or whatever other language you need.
