Summarize PDF: get the gist of a long file
Summarize PDF files as a short summary, a detailed one or key points.
Updated
How it works
Add your PDF
Open the tool (it may ask you to sign in) and drop in a text PDF.
Choose the length
Pick short, detailed or key points. The Gem cost is shown before you run it.
Read, then dig in
Read the summary, then ask follow-ups about anything it glossed over.
Which summary should I pick?
Short is a few sentences: what the document is and what it concludes. Detailed walks through the sections in order, which suits a report you need to discuss. Key points gives a list you can scan in a minute.
If you're not sure, start with key points. It's the quickest way to find out whether the file is worth reading at all. For files that are too long to fit, see how to summarize a long PDF.
Instructions to try
Summarize this report in key points for a 5-minute meeting. Put numbers and dates first.
Use the tool aboveWhat is the main recommendation, and what evidence is it based on? Keep it under 150 words.
Use the tool aboveSummarize the method, the main result and the stated limitations of this paper, one short paragraph each.
Use the tool aboveGive me a one-sentence summary of each section, using the headings from the document.
Use the tool aboveExplain what this document is about to someone who has never seen it, in plain words and no jargon.
Use the tool aboveHow do I get a better summary?
Tell the model who the summary is for and how long it should be. "Two paragraphs for a manager" gives a better result than a bare "summarize".
A summary drops detail by design, so use it to decide where to look, not as a replacement for the source. If a figure matters, ask for the page and check it. Say you have a 40-page report: summarize first, then ask "Which section covers the budget?" and read that part yourself.
What it will not do
- It can't summarize scanned PDFs or photos of pages. There's no OCR, so you get "No text found".
- Password-protected files must be re-saved without the password first.
- Files over about 5.7 MB are refused for AI jobs. A PDF counts as roughly 6,000 input tokens, so very long ones get cut. Pick a page range instead.
- It won't edit the PDF or fix its layout.
- Summaries can miss or misstate things. Check the cited page.
What does it cost, and what leaves my device?
Summaries run on GPT-4o mini at 1 Gem per message, and you can switch models in the tool. New accounts start with 30 Gems. See pricing for packs and plans.
The PDF is uploaded to the model provider you picked. For a long file, the tool cuts your chosen page range out on your device first, so only those pages leave it. Want to ask about a specific detail afterwards? Use chat with PDF.
Questions about Summarize PDF
How do I summarize a PDF with AI?
Add the PDF, choose short, detailed or key points, and run it. The model reads the text layer and the summary streams in. You can then ask follow-up questions about any part of it.
How much does a PDF summary cost?
On the default GPT-4o mini model, 1 Gem per message. The cost shows before you run it, and new accounts start with 30 Gems. Switching to a smart model raises it to 5 Gems.
What if my PDF is too long?
Pick a page range. The tool cuts those pages out on your device first, so only they are sent to the model. Summarize a long file in chunks, then ask for a summary of your summaries.
Why can't it summarize my scanned document?
A scan is an image of text, and there's no OCR here, so the model has nothing to read. You'll see "No text found". A PDF exported from a document or website usually works.