High-performance document engine
Any document in.
Clean plain text out.
One API for PDFs, Word files, slides, spreadsheets, web pages and more. Get text your search index or language model can use, or convert the file to another format.
Free plan included. No credit card required.
# same endpoint for every file type curl https://api.plaintextapi.com/v1/convert \ -H "Authorization: Bearer ptx_your_key" \ -F "[email protected]" # response { "text": "Quarterly Report\n\nRevenue grew 24%...", "source": "pdf", "chars": 18342, "ms": 41 }
One response shape for every source
Upload a file, post raw content or point us at a web page. You always get parsed plain text back.
What you get
Fast by design
The engine handles bursts of traffic without queueing behind one slow document. Typical files come back in milliseconds.
A small, predictable API
One endpoint and one JSON shape. Send a file, raw HTML or a URL. It works from curl, Python, Node or anything that can make an HTTP request.
Convert between formats
Turn a DOCX into a PDF, a PDF into images, a PNG into a JPG and more. Paid plans can return the result directly.
Hosted file links
Ask for a download link instead of the file itself. Results are stored for a limited time and then removed.
Webhooks and queues
Large job? Send a webhook URL and get an immediate response. We call you back when the result is ready.
Usage you can see
A dashboard shows usage per key, your limits and errors. Rotate a key in one click if it ever leaks.
Up and running in a minute
- 1
Sign up free
Create an account and confirm your email. Your API key is generated straight away.
- 2
Send a document
POST a file, raw content or a URL to the convert endpoint with your key.
- 3
Use the result
Get clean text as JSON, or add ?format=text for the text alone.
Pricing that scales with you
Start free. Upgrade when you need more conversions.
Free
Try it on real documents
- 300 conversions / month
- 30 conversions / day
- 10 requests / minute
- 5 MB max file size
- All document formats
- URL to text
- 1 API key
- Community support
Starter
For side projects
- 5,000 conversions / month
- 500 conversions / day
- 30 requests / minute
- 15 MB max file size
- All document formats
- URL to text
- File format conversion, 500 / month
- 3 API keys
- Email support
Pro
For production apps
- 50,000 conversions / month
- 5,000 conversions / day
- 120 requests / minute
- 50 MB max file size
- All document formats
- URL to text
- File format conversion, 5,000 / month
- Hosted file links, 2,000 / month
- Webhooks, 5,000 jobs / month
- 10 API keys
- Priority support
Business
High-volume pipelines
- 250,000 conversions / month
- 25,000 conversions / day
- 300 requests / minute
- 100 MB max file size
- All document formats
- URL to text
- File format conversion, 25,000 / month
- Hosted file links, 25,000 / month
- Webhooks, 50,000 jobs / month
- 25 API keys
- Dedicated support
Need more, or something different?
Higher volumes, custom limits, invoicing or a signed agreement. Tell us what you need and we will set up a plan for you.
Questions
Which formats do you support?
PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OpenDocument, RTF, HTML, XML, JSON, CSV, Markdown, e-books, email files and plain text, plus any public web page by URL. The full list is in the docs.
Can you convert files to other formats?
Yes. The file conversion endpoint turns documents and images into another format, for example DOCX to PDF or PNG to JPG. It is available on plans that include it.
Do I need a credit card to start?
No. Sign up, confirm your email and your API key is ready on the free plan.
What happens if I reach my limit?
The API returns a 429 with a clear message and your usage resets on the next period. Upgrade at any time and the new limits apply immediately.
Do you keep my documents?
Documents are processed at runtime only: they are held in memory while your request runs and are not kept. We store output only when you ask for it. A webhook or queued job keeps its result for up to 24 hours so it can be delivered, and a hosted download link keeps the file for a short, fixed period. Both are then deleted automatically. See our privacy policy for details.
Can I rotate my API key?
Yes, from your dashboard in one click. The old key stops working immediately.
Stop fighting file formats.
Get a free API key and convert your first document in under a minute.
Get your free API key