Chat with a PDF and ask it anything
Attach a PDF to AlgoChat and ask about it like you would ask a friend who has read it. Get a summary of chapter 2, find the cancellation clause in a contract, explain a table in a research paper, or have it quiz you before a test.
It runs in your browser, with no sign-up. Files up to 8 MB work, which covers most lecture notes, papers, manuals and forms.
Try one of these
- SummarySummarise the attached PDF in ten bullet points, then list anything I should read in full myself.
- Quiz meQuiz me on chapter 3 of this PDF. Ask one question at a time and tell me if I got it right before moving on.
- FindFind the clause in this contract about ending the agreement early. Quote it exactly and give the page number.
- ExplainExplain the table on page 6 in plain words. What is the main finding?
- DatesList every deadline and date mentioned in this document, with what each one is for.
How it works
Tap the attach button in the message box, pick a PDF and type your question in the same message. AlgoChat reads the text and the layout, including tables, charts and images on the page. The document stays in the conversation, so you can keep asking follow-ups without attaching it again.
You can switch styles of question freely. Start with a summary, drill into one section, then ask it to turn that section into flashcards.
Questions that get good answers
Specific questions beat "what is this about?" A few that work well:
- "What does the author argue in section 4, and what evidence do they use?"
- "Is there anything in this lease about pets or subletting? Quote it."
- "Turn chapter 5 into 15 flashcards, question on one line and answer on the next."
- "What are the three things this policy asks employees to do?"
- "Compare the methods in this paper with the one I attached earlier."
Scanned PDFs and photos of pages
Many PDFs are scans with no selectable text. AlgoChat reads the page as an image, so scanned handouts, photographed notes and printed forms still work. Clear print reads best. Faint photocopies, heavy shadows and messy handwriting can cause misreads. If a number or word is unclear, it should say which one rather than fill the gap. For a reference number or amount, check what it quotes against the page.
Limits to know
- Each file can be up to 8 MB. Large scanned files often go over. Compress the PDF or split out the chapters you need.
- Only PDFs and images can be attached. For a Word document or slides, export to PDF first, or paste the text.
- Very long documents are harder to answer about in full detail. Point it at a chapter or page range for sharper answers.
- Page numbers can differ between the printed number and the position in the file. Open the page it cites and confirm.
- It can misread or misunderstand. For contracts, medical letters or anything with money attached, read the original clause yourself.
Questions
How big can the PDF be?
Up to 8 MB per file. If yours is larger, compress it or split it and attach the part you need.
Does it work with scanned PDFs?
Yes. It reads pages visually, so scans and photos of pages work. Clean, well-lit scans give the most accurate results.
Can it edit or fill in my PDF?
No. AlgoChat cannot create or change files. It can write the text you need, such as answers for each field, and you paste it in yourself.
Can I attach more than one PDF?
Yes. You can attach several files to a message and ask it to compare them. The 8 MB limit applies to each PDF.
Is my document private?
Chats and attachments are tied to your browser, not to a name or email. AlgoChat keeps them to provide your history and does not sell them. See algochat.app/privacy for details.