QR Code Scanner
Scan and decode QR codes using your camera or by uploading an image. Works on mobile and desktop — no app needed.
Click "Start Camera" to begin scanning
Scan a QR code to see the decoded content here.
Why Use Our Online QR Code Scanner?
Scanning QR codes shouldn't require downloading a separate app. Our free online QR code scanner works directly in your browser using your device's camera or by uploading an image. No installation, no sign-up, and no data collection — just point, scan, and get results instantly.
Modern smartphones have built-in QR code scanning in their camera apps, but desktop users often need a convenient way to decode QR codes. Our browser-based scanner fills this gap, working seamlessly across Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.
Two Ways to Scan
We offer two scanning modes to cover every use case:
- Camera Mode: Use your device's camera to scan QR codes in real-time. Perfect for scanning codes on product packaging, posters, business cards, or any physical media. Requires camera permission — your video feed is processed entirely in your browser and never leaves your device.
- Image Upload Mode: Upload a screenshot or photo containing a QR code. Ideal for scanning codes from emails, websites, PDFs, or when you've saved a QR code image to your device. Supports PNG, JPG, GIF, and WebP formats.
What Types of QR Codes Can You Decode?
Our scanner can decode all standard QR code content types:
- URLs: The most common type — opens a website when scanned. Our scanner displays the full URL and offers a one-click button to open it.
- Plain Text: Any text message encoded in a QR code, from simple notes to structured data.
- WiFi Credentials: Network name, password, and encryption type encoded for easy WiFi sharing.
- vCard / Contact Info: Digital business cards with names, phone numbers, emails, and company details.
- Email Links: Pre-filled email messages with recipient, subject, and body text.
- Phone Numbers: Direct dial links encoded in QR codes.
Privacy and Security
Privacy is our top priority. When you use the camera scanner, your video feed is processed entirely in your browser using the HTML5 WebRTC API — no video is ever uploaded or recorded. Similarly, uploaded images are decoded locally using JavaScript. We never see, store, or transmit your data. This is also why our scanner works offline once the page is loaded.
When to Use a QR Code Scanner
- Verify QR Codes: Before scanning a QR code from an unknown source, use our scanner to preview the decoded content and ensure it's safe.
- Desktop Scanning: Scan QR codes on your computer when you receive them in emails, documents, or see them on websites.
- Testing Generated Codes: After creating QR codes with our generator, use the scanner to verify they encode the correct information.
- Extract Information: Decode QR codes you've photographed but can't scan directly with your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the scanner work on mobile?
Yes! The camera mode works on both iOS and Android devices through your mobile browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox). Simply allow camera access when prompted.
Do I need to install anything?
No installation required. Our scanner runs entirely in your web browser using standard HTML5 APIs. No plugins, extensions, or apps needed.
Why is my camera not working?
Make sure you've granted camera permission to your browser. On desktop, check your browser's site settings. On mobile, ensure camera access is enabled for your browser app. Some browsers require HTTPS for camera access, which is supported by all modern hosting platforms.
Can I scan barcodes too?
Our current scanner is optimized for QR codes. For barcode scanning (UPC, EAN, Code-128), you may need a dedicated barcode scanner tool. However, our image upload mode may successfully decode some 2D barcode formats.
Is there a limit on image upload size?
There's no hard limit, but larger images take longer to process. For best results, use images under 10MB where the QR code is clearly visible and well-lit.