Home
    Guides
    Sana Fayyaz·
    Guides
    ··
    Last updated:
    ·4 min read·

    What is ChatPDF and how it works? 

    chatpdf
    chatpdf

    In today’s digital age, PDF files are ubiquitous, serving as the backbone for sharing documents across various sectors.  

    Whether it’s an academic article, a business report, or a legal document, PDFs have essential information in a compact format. However, navigating through these lengthy files can be time-consuming.  

    ChatPDF is an AI tool designed to transform your interaction with PDF documents into a smooth, conversational experience. Let’s dive into what ChatPDF is and how it simplifies the task of understanding complex PDFs. 

    What is ChatPDF?

    ChatPDF is an AI-powered platform that enables users to interact with PDF documents as if they were having a conversation with an assistant. Modeled with advanced natural language processing technologies, it allows you to ask questions about your PDF’s content and receive precise, contextually accurate answers.  

    This tool is particularly useful for students, professionals, researchers, and anyone who needs to extract information quickly without going through several pages of text. 

    How ChatPDF Works?

    Here’s a simple breakdown of how this AI tool works. 

    how to use chatpdf
    Screenshot taken by author

    Simply drag and drop your PDF into the ChatPDF platform. This advanced tool uses optical character recognition (OCR) to scan and extract the text from your document and provides you with a summarized format of your lengthy document. Then, you can start asking specific questions about this document.  

    It processes these inquiries using its underlying AI, which is based on the same model that powers the famous AI chatbot, ChatGPT, (ChatPDF is an API of ChatGPT). 

    The AI reviews the text, identifies relevant information, and provides answers directly from the file you uploaded. It can even cite the page numbers to help you reference the material easily. 

    This process not only speeds up your review of documents but also enhances comprehension by allowing for interactive exploration of content. 

    Step-by-Step Guide to Using ChatPDF  

    Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use it to get the most out of your PDF documents. 

    Step 1: Visit the ChatPDF Website 

    Start by navigating to chatpdf.com. The homepage is designed to be user-friendly, guiding you effortlessly to where you need to go. 

    Step 2: Upload Your file 

    On the homepage, you’ll find an option to upload your PDF. You can do this by: 

    • Simply drag your PDF file from your computer and drop it into the designated area on the website. 
    • Click on the ‘Browse my Computer’ button to select the PDF file manually from your files. 

    Step 3: Automatic Summary:  

    Once your file is uploaded, it automatically generates a summary of all the important points of your document. This summary provides a quick overview, helping you understand the main ideas without reading the entire document. 

    Step 4: Interact with the AI:  

    With your content uploaded, a chat interface appears where you can start asking questions about the document’s content. 

    • Type Your Questions: Enter your questions in a conversational manner into the chat box. This tool is designed to understand and respond to natural language queries. 
    • Receive Answers: The AI analyzes your questions and the document’s content to provide accurate and relevant answers. It can also cite specific page numbers for reference. 

    Step 5: Follow-Up Questions:  

    Don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions or seek clarifications. ChatPDF can continue this conversation, making it feel like you’re discussing the document with an expert. 

    Step 6: Explore More Tools (Optional):  

    If you need more, consider exploring the additional features such as Sharing and Exporting Chats. However, you need to sign up with your account to use these features. 

    Additionally, if you uploaded a document in one language but prefer responses in another, you can adjust the settings accordingly. 

    Is ChatPDF Free?

    Yes, ChatPDF offers a free basic plan along with a range of several pricing plans designed to accommodate the varying needs of its users, from casual users who handle such files occasionally to daily users who require extensive capabilities. Here’s a detailed look at the available pricing options, ensuring you can select the plan that best suits your requirements. 

    Free Basic Plan 

    With their free basic plan, you can upload up to 2 PDFs per day and each file can be up to 10 MB in size with up to 120 pages per file. Regarding asking questions or get in chat with ChatPDF, you can ask up to 50 questions per PDF. 

    Plus Plan 

    With their plus plan, you can get the following facilities at £15.99 per month: 

    Screenshot taken by author

    The Plus Plan can be purchased at annual rates where users can save 40% off as compared to the monthly plan. 

    Final Thoughts

    ChatPDF is designed to make your experience with PDF documents as easy and informative as possible. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone looking to quickly extract information from PDFs, ChatPDF provides a robust platform that simplifies complex document interactions.

    Many people have this query in their mind if ChatPDF is reliable. Well, you cannot fully trust any AI tool. Take as much help from these tools as you want, but make sure to verify the information provided by these tools. Try it out today to see how it can enhance your productivity and understanding of PDF files.