QR code scanner
Decode a QR code from an image or your camera.
Runs in your browser. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.
- Upload, paste or use the camera
- Wi-Fi codes split into network and password
- Links shown in full before you open them
How to scan a QR code
- Drop or paste an image, or switch to the camera.
- Point your camera at the code, or let the image scan automatically.
- Copy the result, or open the link if it is a URL.
What gets recognized automatically
| Decoded content | What you see |
|---|---|
| A web link | The full URL as text, plus a button to open it |
| Wi-Fi code | Network name and password shown separately, ready to copy |
| Plain text | The text shown exactly as encoded |
Other QR payloads, like a contact card or an email link, still decode correctly, they just show as plain text for you to read and copy.
Getting a clean scan from a photo
- Fill as much of the frame with the code as you can. A tiny code inside a huge photo is the most common reason a scan fails.
- Avoid glare and shadows across the code, especially on a glossy printed page or a phone screen.
- Hold the camera steady. A slightly blurry photo often will not decode even though the code looks fine to the eye.
- If a photo will not scan, try cropping it tighter around just the code and uploading the crop instead.
Camera mode versus image mode
| Camera | Image | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Scanning something in front of you right now | A screenshot, saved photo or code sent to you |
| Speed | Scans continuously as you point at the code | Scans once, right after you drop the file |
| Extra | Torch button on phones that support it | Works with a pasted screenshot too |
QR code scanner FAQ
Do I need to install an app?
No. Scanning happens right in this page using your camera or an image you provide, with nothing to install.
Does it open links automatically?
No. A decoded link is shown in full text with a separate open button, so you can check it before visiting.
Can it read a screenshot I paste?
Yes. Copy an image to your clipboard and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac) anywhere on this page.
Can it scan a Wi-Fi QR code?
Yes. It recognizes the Wi-Fi format and shows the network name and password separately, ready to copy.
Is my camera video sent anywhere?
No. Video frames are processed on your device only, never recorded or uploaded.
Can it scan a code from an iPhone HEIC photo?
Yes. Image mode decodes HEIC, TIFF and every common image format before scanning, so you can drop in an iPhone photo directly without converting it first.
Why can't it find the code in my photo?
Blur, glare on the code, or the code taking up only a small part of a large photo are the most common causes. Crop closer to the code, retake the photo in better light, or hold the camera steadier and try again.
Is a QR code scanner different from a barcode scanner?
Yes. QR codes are a 2D square pattern read in both directions, while regular barcodes are 1D stripes read across just one direction. This tool reads QR codes only; try the barcode generator page if you need to make a 1D barcode instead.
What if my browser will not let the camera turn on?
Check that you allowed camera access when your browser asked. If you accidentally blocked it, look for a camera icon in the address bar to change the permission, then reload the page.