How it works
The QR Code Scanner decodes QR codes from uploaded image files (JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF) without using your camera. Upload a screenshot, photo, or image file containing a QR code, and the tool reads and displays the embedded data — URL, text, WiFi credentials, contact information, or any other encoded content.
Use cases: you receive a screenshot of a QR code via message but don't want to print it to scan with your phone. You need to verify what URL is encoded in a QR code image before clicking it. You want to extract the WiFi password from a QR code your router generated. You're processing a batch of ticket images and need to read the codes programmatically.
How to use it: upload an image file containing the QR code. The tool locates and decodes all QR codes in the image (including multiple codes in the same image). The decoded content is displayed with the detected type (URL, text, WiFi, vCard, etc.). Click "Open URL" to follow the decoded link, or "Copy" to copy the content.
Multiple codes: if the image contains more than one QR code (e.g., a page of printed tickets), all codes are decoded and listed.
Partial/damaged codes: QR codes with up to 30% of their surface damaged or obscured can still be decoded thanks to the Reed-Solomon error correction built into the QR standard. The scanner attempts to recover partially damaged codes.
Security note: before following a decoded URL, verify it appears legitimate. QR codes can encode malicious URLs that look clean at a glance.
Privacy: QR decoding uses a pure-JavaScript decoder (jsQR). No image is uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
- QR codes can encode plain text, WiFi credentials (SSID, password, security type), vCard contacts (name, phone, email, address), email addresses (with subject and body pre-filled), SMS messages, geographic coordinates, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and calendar events.
- Ensure the QR code takes up at least 10% of the image width. Check that the image is in focus and well-lit. Make sure there is an adequate quiet zone (white border) around the code. If the code is printed on a colored or textured background, the tool may struggle — try photographing against a white card.
- The QR Code Scanner is optimized for QR codes specifically. For 1D barcodes (UPC, EAN, Code 128), use the Barcode Scanner tool which uses a broader format detector.
- Scanning a QR code reveals its content — a URL, text, or encoded data. Visiting a decoded URL carries the same risks as clicking any unknown link (phishing, malware). Always inspect the decoded URL before following it. This tool shows you the decoded content before you click anything.