How it works
The Barcode Scanner decodes 1D and 2D barcodes from uploaded image files. Upload a photo, screenshot, or scan of a product, label, or document containing a barcode, and the tool reads and returns the encoded value — no camera required.
Use cases: you photographed a product barcode to look it up and need the number. You need to extract values from a batch of label images. You want to verify the check digit on a generated barcode. You're auditing inventory labels and need to read them from photos.
How to use it: upload an image containing a barcode. The tool detects and decodes barcodes automatically, returning the encoded value and the detected format. If multiple barcodes are present in the image, all are decoded and listed.
Supported formats: Code 128, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, ITF-14, QR Code, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF417.
Image quality: for reliable decoding, the barcode should be in focus, well-lit, and take up at least 10% of the image width. Severely skewed (more than 30° rotation), blurry, or heavily damaged barcodes may fail. The tool applies auto-deskewing to handle moderate angle.
Camera scanning: this tool reads barcodes from uploaded images. For live camera scanning, use a mobile barcode scanner app. This tool is optimized for the specific case of decoding barcodes from image files on a desktop.
Privacy: decoding uses a WebAssembly barcode library (ZXing-WASM). No image is uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The scanner reads Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, ITF-14, Codabar, QR Code, Data Matrix, Aztec, and PDF417. For best results, the barcode should be clearly visible in the image without heavy distortion.
- The tool applies auto-deskewing to correct for moderate angle (up to approximately 30° from horizontal). Photos taken at extreme angles (more than 45°) or heavily curved (from cylindrical product packaging) may fail. Try retaking the photo from directly in front of the barcode for reliable decoding.
- Yes. Upload an image containing multiple barcodes and the tool decodes all of them. The results are listed with the format, decoded value, and the bounding box coordinates of each barcode in the image.
- Common failure causes: barcode too small in the frame (less than 5% of image width), blurry or out of focus, insufficient contrast between bars and background, a significant portion of the barcode is damaged or obscured, or the barcode format isn't in the supported list.