Scan a photo

Photo equation solver

Photograph or upload one clear equation, check the recognized text, then solve for x with steps and verification.

Photo / image equation OCR Beta

Take a photo or choose an image. OCR reads the equation automatically; review the text before pressing Solve.

Good photo examples

Clear photo of the handwritten linear equation 3x + 7 = 22
Linear equation
Clear photo of the handwritten quadratic equation 2x squared minus 8 equals 0
Quadratic equation
Clear photo of the handwritten absolute-value equation absolute value of x minus 4 equals 9
Absolute-value equation

Try an example

Photo-to-solution examples

These examples show what the OCR reads, what to correct, and what the solver can verify.

A printed linear equation

  1. 1Photo: a flat textbook line, 3x + 7 = 22.
  2. 2OCR draft: 3x + 7 = 22.
  3. 3Review: no correction is needed.
  4. 4Solve: subtract 7, divide by 3, so x = 5.

A quadratic with a missing exponent

  1. 1Photo: x² - 5x + 6 = 0 on a worksheet.
  2. 2OCR draft: x2 - 5x + 6 = 0.
  3. 3Correction: replace x2 with x^2 before solving.
  4. 4Solve: factor to get x = 2 or x = 3.

An absolute-value equation

  1. 1Photo: |2x - 5| = 9, cropped to one line.
  2. 2OCR draft: |2x - 5| = 9.
  3. 3Review: make sure both vertical bars are present.
  4. 4Solve: split the two cases; x = 7 or x = -2.

Take a photo OCR can read

  • Use one equation per image and leave a small white border around it.
  • Hold the camera parallel to the paper; glare and perspective make minus signs and exponents disappear.
  • Use dark writing on a light background, then crop out notes, answer choices, and page numbers.

When recognition is incomplete

  • If only an equals sign appears, retake the photo closer and with more contrast.
  • If a power becomes x2, edit it as x^2; OCR reads symbols as text, not mathematical meaning.
  • For fractions, roots, or handwriting, type the uncertain part manually and check the MathML preview.

Photo equation OCR FAQ

Are photos uploaded to a server?
No. The current OCR runs in the browser and the image is not sent to a third-party OCR API.
Does it solve an entire worksheet?
No. This tool is designed for one clear, supported equation at a time.
Can it read handwriting?
Sometimes, but clear printed equations are more reliable. Always edit and confirm the draft.
Why is my equation unsupported after OCR?
The text may be wrong, or the equation may be outside the supported one-variable algebra forms.

Transparent browser-side workflow

OCR assets load from this site only when you use this feature. Recognition and your image stay in the browser, but handwritten math and complex notation can be misread, so always review the recognized text.

Current solver scope

Cubic and higher-degree polynomials, logarithmic, exponential, trigonometric, nested-radical, and multiple-absolute-value equations remain outside the supported solver scope.

Linear equations

Solve forms such as 2x + 5 = 15 and -2x + 4 = 10.

Quadratic equations

Solve quadratics with real or complex roots, then inspect the discriminant, vertex, axis of symmetry, and graph.

Scan a photo

Use browser-side OCR as a draft transcription, review the recognized equation, and only then solve it.