About the QR Code Scanner
QR Code Scanner reads a QR code from your camera or from a picture you upload, such as a photo or a screenshot, and shows what is inside. Website addresses get an Open link button with a reminder to check the address first. Wi-Fi codes show the network name, security type and a password you can reveal. Emails, phone numbers, text messages, locations and contact cards are laid out clearly. It reads standard QR codes only, not barcodes, and it cannot tell you whether a link is safe. The camera picture and your images never leave your device.
Updated September 2026
How to use the QR Code Scanner
- 1Choose Upload an image or Scan with camera.
- 2For an image, select a photo or screenshot that shows the whole code. For the camera, click Start camera, allow access, and hold the code in view.
- 3Read the result. Use Copy to copy the text.
- 4If it is a link, check the address, then click Open link. For Wi-Fi, tick Show password to see it.
- 5Click Scan another to start again.
Scan with the camera or from a picture
The camera option is quickest when the code is in front of you: click Start camera, point it at the code and hold steady. The scan runs several times a second and stops the camera the moment it succeeds.
The upload option suits codes you received as a photo, a screenshot or a saved image. It works on phones and computers, and is the fallback when camera access is blocked or the page is not secure.
What kinds of QR codes it understands
The scanner recognises the common content types and labels them, so you know what you are looking at before you act on it.
- Website links, including addresses that start with www.
- Wi-Fi network details with masked passwords.
- Email addresses, phone numbers and text message shortcuts.
- Map locations given as coordinates.
- Contact cards with a name, phone numbers and emails.
- Plain text of any kind.
Staying safe with QR links
A QR code hides its address from the eye, so look at the full link before you open it. Watch for misspelled brand names, odd extra words and unfamiliar endings. Only http and https addresses get an Open link button; anything else, including script or file addresses, is shown as text and never turned into a link.
If a code asks for a payment or a login, go to the company's own website or app instead. To make your own codes, use QR Code Generator.
Tips when a code won't scan
Fill the frame with the code but leave its white margin. Avoid reflections and shadows, and keep the camera parallel to the code. On a screen, turn the brightness up. If the picture is a big screenshot with the code in one corner, crop it with Crop Image first.
This tool reads QR codes only. For product barcodes you would need a barcode reader, and Barcode Generator makes new ones.
Features
- Scan with the camera or from a picture
- Recognises links, Wi-Fi, email, phone, SMS, locations and contacts
- Copy button for the decoded text
- Link safety reminder before opening
- Wi-Fi password hidden until you choose to show it
- Private: pictures and camera frames stay on your device
Frequently asked questions
How do I scan a QR code from an image or screenshot?
Choose Upload an image, select the picture or screenshot, and the code is read straight away. Make sure the whole code, including its white border, is in the picture. If a screenshot fails, try cropping closer to the code.
Do I need an app?
No. The scanner runs in your browser. On the camera tab, allow camera access when your browser asks. Uploading a picture needs no permission at all.
Is scanning a QR code safe?
Reading a code is harmless, but opening what it points to may not be. Scammers stick fake codes over real ones. This tool shows the address so you can check it, and only offers an Open link button for web addresses. Be extra careful with payment and login pages.
Why won't my QR code scan?
Common causes are a blurry or dark picture, glare, a code that is cut off, or one that is very small in the frame. Try a sharper photo taken closer, in good light, with the code flat and fully visible. Damaged codes may not be readable.
Can it read Wi-Fi QR codes?
Yes. It shows the network name, the security type and whether the network is hidden, and keeps the password masked until you tick Show password. It does not join the network for you, so type the details into your device's Wi-Fi settings.
Is my camera picture stored?
No. Frames from the camera are examined inside your browser and discarded. Nothing is uploaded or saved, and the camera turns off as soon as a code is found or you press Stop camera.