What it does
PDF Reader renders and navigates PDF documents in the browser with zoom, search and thumbnails.
- In-browser viewing
How do I read a PDF online?
Read a PDF online by opening it in the browser-based PDF Reader — it renders every page with smooth zoom, page navigation, search and a thumbnail sidebar. Your file opens instantly and stays on your device, with nothing uploaded.
- Fast page rendering with zoom and fit
- Search text and jump between pages
- Thumbnail sidebar and outline
- 100% client-side
What is
PDF Reader
A browser-based viewer that opens and displays PDF documents with navigation, zoom, text search and thumbnails, without installing an app.
PDF Tools
Related terms
viewerpdf.js
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
The reader opens PDFs directly in your browser with no download or install.
Yes.
Full-text search highlights matches and lets you jump between them.
No.
The PDF is rendered locally with pdf.js.
Detailed Explanation
How it works
Pages are rendered to canvas with pdf.js and a text layer enables selection and search.
- pdf.js rendering
Use cases
Quickly open and review a PDF anywhere without a desktop reader, including on shared or locked-down machines.
- Quick review anywhere
Limitations
It is a viewer; editing, form filling and annotation are handled by the dedicated tools.
- View-only
Privacy
The document is rendered locally and never uploaded.
- 100% local