Free QR Code Scanner
Decode any QR code directly in your browser — no app to install, no account required. Upload an image file or use your device's camera. Results appear instantly, and nothing is ever sent to a server. Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
How to Scan a QR Code Online
- 1Choose a method. Select Upload Image to decode a QR code from a file, or Use Camera to scan a physical code using your webcam or phone camera.
- 2Upload or point camera. For Upload: click the upload area and choose a PNG, JPG, WebP, or GIF. For Camera: click Start Camera, grant permission, and point at the QR code.
- 3Read the result. The decoded content appears immediately. If it's a URL, you can open it directly. For any content, use the Copy button or click Generate QR to create a new QR code from it.
When You Need a Browser-Based QR Scanner
- Scanning a QR code on your computer screen. You can't point your phone at your own monitor. The upload method lets you take a screenshot and decode it instantly — no second device needed.
- QR codes received in emails or documents. Save the image, upload it here, and get the decoded content in one step.
- Verifying a QR code before printing. After generating a QR code, upload the downloaded file back into the scanner to confirm the encoded content is exactly what you intended.
- Devices without a QR scanner app. Older phones or shared workstations may not have a dedicated scanner. This tool runs in any modern browser with no installation required.
- Privacy-conscious scanning. Unlike many QR scanner apps, this tool does not log what you scan, does not request location permission, and does not upload your images anywhere.
What QR Codes Can Contain
QR codes are a format — they carry encoded text. The meaning of that text depends on what was encoded. Common content types include:
| Content type | Example |
|---|---|
| URL | https://example.com |
| Plain text | Meeting at 3pm, Room 4B |
| UPI payment | upi://pay?pa=name@upi&pn=Shop |
| Phone number | tel:+919876543210 |
| vCard contact | BEGIN:VCARD… |
| Wi-Fi credentials | WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:password;; |
| Geographic location | geo:28.6139,77.2090 |
Tips for Better Scan Results
- Use the highest resolution image available. A 500 × 500 px image scans more reliably than a heavily compressed thumbnail.
- Ensure the entire QR code is in frame. Cropping off even one corner of the finder pattern (the three large squares) can prevent decoding.
- Avoid glare and shadows in camera mode. Diffuse lighting works better than direct sunlight or a single bright lamp shining on the code.
- Try increasing brightness for dark images. If an upload fails to decode, open the image in any photo editor, increase brightness and contrast, then re-upload.
QR code generators
- QR Code Generator Hub — generate QR codes for any purpose
- URL QR Code Generator — turn any website link into a scannable code
- UPI QR Code Generator — create a payment QR code for your UPI ID
- vCard QR Code Generator — share contact details in one scan
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I scan a QR code from a screenshot or image file?
Yes. Switch to the Upload Image tab, click the upload button, and select any PNG, JPG, WebP, or GIF file from your device — including screenshots. The scanner will decode the QR code directly from the image file without needing to point a camera at a physical code. This is especially useful for QR codes received in emails, documents, PDFs (take a screenshot first), or messaging apps.
Does this QR code scanner work on mobile?
Yes. Both methods work on mobile browsers. The Camera mode requests access to your rear (environment-facing) camera and scans in real time. The Upload mode lets you pick an image from your photo library. On iOS, Safari and Chrome both support the required APIs. On Android, Chrome and most modern browsers work without any issues.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. All decoding is done entirely in your browser using the open-source jsQR library. Your image file and camera feed never leave your device — there are no server requests and no data is stored or logged. You can confirm this by enabling airplane mode after the page loads: the scanner still works.
What if the QR code is blurry or damaged?
QR codes include built-in error correction that allows them to remain readable even when up to 30% of the code is obscured, dirty, or damaged. For best results with the image upload method, use the highest resolution version of the image available. For camera scanning, ensure even lighting with no glare, hold the camera steady, and make sure the entire QR code is visible in the frame.
What types of QR codes can this scanner read?
This scanner decodes any standard QR code regardless of what was used to generate it. Common content types include: URLs (websites), plain text, UPI payment links, vCard contact cards, phone numbers (tel: links), email addresses (mailto: links), Wi-Fi credentials, and geographic coordinates. After decoding, URLs are shown as clickable links; all other content is shown as plain text with a copy button.