In short: A QR code scanner decodes the data stored in a QR code — usually a URL, text, Wi-Fi details or contact card — from a photo, a screenshot or a live camera view.
About QR Code Scanner
QR codes in emails, posters, PDFs and screenshots are hard to scan with a phone when they are already on your screen. Drop the image or paste a screenshot here and the code is decoded instantly with the open-source jsQR library.
The decoded content is shown as text first, so you can check where a link really goes before opening it — a useful habit, since malicious QR codes (“quishing”) are increasingly common. The camera option uses your device camera in the browser; video frames are analyzed locally and never recorded or uploaded.
How to use QR Code Scanner
- Choose or drop an image, paste a screenshot, or press Use camera.
- Read the decoded content and its type (link, Wi-Fi, contact, text).
- Copy it, or open the link if you trust it.
Examples
WIFI:T:WPA;S:CafeGuest;P:espresso42;; is shown with the network name and password.
A “parking payment” QR decodes to an unfamiliar domain — you can see that before visiting it.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t it read my QR code?
Make sure the whole code is visible with a little white margin around it, in focus and not too small. Very damaged or stylized codes may fail.
Does it read barcodes?
No, only QR codes. Traditional barcodes (EAN, UPC, Code 128) are not supported.
Is the camera image recorded?
No. Frames are decoded in your browser and discarded; nothing is uploaded or saved.
Is my image uploaded?
No. Decoding happens on your device. You can check this yourself: open your browser’s developer tools, switch to the Network tab and use the tool — no request carries your input.
Updated November 2026 · Free, no signup · How we build and test tools