Choose a source
Drop a QR code image onto the upload area, or press Start camera and allow the browser to use the camera when it asks for permission.
QR and barcode tools
QR Code Reader and Scanner
Free online QR code reader and camera scanner
Scan source
Local processingCamera scanning needs browser permission and works best with a well lit, in-focus code.
Decoded result
Waiting for an image or camera feed.
The result will appear here after you run the tool.
Press Ctrl or Command and Enter to run the tool.
About this tool
About this tool
QR Code Reader and Scanner decodes QR matrices from image files or a live camera feed using the jsQR library inside the browser. Upload a screenshot or photo, or grant camera permission to scan continuously. The decoded text appears immediately with copy, download, and open-link options, and no image data is transmitted anywhere.
Decode QR codes from screenshots, photos, and printed materials without installing an app. Drop an image onto the workspace or point your camera at the code and the reader extracts the text instantly. The decoding runs with JavaScript in your browser, so the image and the result never leave your device.
Built for daily work
- Read a QR code from a screenshot someone sent you.
- Decode a damaged or faded code after scanning it with the camera.
- Check what a suspicious code contains before opening the link.
- Extract Wi-Fi credentials or plain text from a printed code.
How to use this tool
How to use this tool
Let the reader find the code
For photos, decoding runs once on the loaded image. For the camera, the reader scans frames continuously until a code is recognized.
Use the result
The decoded text is shown with copy and download actions. If the content is a web link, an Open link button appears for instant navigation.
Key features
Key features
Image file decoding
Screenshots, photos, and exported QR images are decoded from the file itself with no server round trip.
Live camera scanning
The rear camera scans in real time with a visual focus overlay, decoding automatically when a code comes into frame.
Copy, download, and open
Copy the decoded text with one click, save it as a text file, or open it directly when it is a URL.
Private by design
Decoding uses the jsQR library locally. Images from files or the camera are processed in browser memory only.
Practical use cases
Practical use cases
- Read a QR code from a screenshot someone sent you.
- Decode a damaged or faded code after scanning it with the camera.
- Check what a suspicious code contains before opening the link.
- Extract Wi-Fi credentials or plain text from a printed code.
- Verify a generated code works before you print hundreds of copies.
Private by default
For local tools, input is processed in your browser and is not sent to application analytics.
Data processing noticeTechnical details
Technical details
ProcessingLocal browser processing (jsQR)
Accepted filesJPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP
Camera sourceRear camera preferred, front camera fallback
OutputDecoded text with copy, download, and open-link actions
Limitations and important notes
Limitations and important notes
- Very small or heavily damaged codes may not decode, especially from low-resolution photos.
- Camera scanning quality depends on lighting, focus, and the device camera.
- The reader decodes QR matrices only; one-dimensional barcodes are not supported here.
- Camera access requires a secure context (HTTPS) and explicit browser permission.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The browser asks for camera access the first time you press Start camera. You can deny it and still use image uploads, or allow it in the browser settings later.
Blurry, tilted, or backlit photos fail most often. Use a sharp, well lit image with the full code visible and a clear margin around it.
It shows the decoded text first so you can review it. If the content is a URL, an Open link button is displayed for a deliberate tap.
No. The file is read into browser memory and decoded locally with JavaScript. Nothing is transmitted.
The decoding library is loaded from a CDN, so an internet connection is needed for the first load. After that the page may be cached by the browser.
Related guides and solutions
Related guides and solutions
Scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo
QR codes arrive in screenshots, PDFs, and photos every day. The [QR code reader](tool:qr-code-reader) decodes them straight from an image file, locally, so you do not need a second device.
Learn moreHow to generate a QR code with a logo for free
A practical guide to adding a logo to a QR code with the [QR code generator](tool:qr-code-generator) and the [image watermark tool](tool:image-watermark): error correction, logo sizing, and the testing rules that keep codes scannable.
Learn moreHow to create a Wi-Fi QR code for guests without an app
A practical guide to the [Wi-Fi QR code generator](tool:wifi-qr-code-generator): how the WIFI format works, security considerations for sharing passwords, and how to print and test the code.
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