Scan with your camera or upload a screenshot — right here in the browser. Nothing is uploaded; decoding happens on your device.
Three ways to scan a QR code
- Webcam: click "Start camera", allow access, and hold the code in view.
- Image upload: got the code as a screenshot, photo or PDF export? Upload it and it's decoded instantly.
- On your phone: for everyday scanning, a dedicated app is faster — it scans barcodes, saves history, and reads codes straight from screenshots.
Private by design
Most "online scanners" upload your image to their servers to decode it. This one doesn't:
it uses your browser's built-in barcode detection (with a JavaScript fallback for older
browsers), so camera frames and images never leave your device. Scan tickets, payment codes
and private links with confidence.
Want to make codes instead of reading them? Try the
QR code generator or share your network with a
WiFi QR code.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I scan a QR code without an app?
- Click "Start camera" above and allow camera access when your browser asks. Hold the QR code steady in view and the result appears automatically. If you have the code as a picture, use the upload option instead.
- Can I scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo?
- Yes — choose "Upload an image or screenshot" and select the picture. The scanner reads QR codes from any reasonably sharp image, which is handy for codes received in emails, PDFs or chat messages.
- Are my camera images uploaded to a server?
- No. Both camera frames and uploaded images are decoded locally in your browser using the BarcodeDetector API (or a JavaScript fallback). Nothing is transmitted, stored or logged.
- Why is my camera not working?
- Check that you allowed camera permission for this site, that no other app is using the camera, and that you are on HTTPS. On iPhones, Safari is the most reliable browser for camera access. If the camera still fails, the image-upload option always works.
- Is it safe to open a link from a QR code?
- Treat QR links like links in emails: check the address before opening it. This scanner always shows you the full decoded text first and never opens anything automatically.
- Can this scanner read barcodes too?
- This web tool focuses on QR codes. For EAN/UPC product barcodes, ISBN, and more formats, our free iOS app scans virtually every barcode type — including from screenshots.