How to use the QR Code Scanner
- Click Start camera and hold the QR code inside the frame — or drop, choose or paste an image of it.
- The content appears as soon as the code is read. Links are shown in full so you can check them before opening.
- Copy the text, open the link, or copy the Wi-Fi password — recent scans are listed below.
Scan from the camera or from an image
With the camera, hold the code steady about 15–30 cm away and make sure it is evenly lit. To read a QR code that is already on your screen — in an email, a PDF or a photo — take a screenshot and drop or paste it here. Codes in photos are found even when they are small or slightly tilted.
What a QR code can contain
- Links — shown in full with the domain highlighted, so you can spot look-alike addresses before opening.
- Wi-Fi — network name, security type and password, ready to copy.
- Contacts (vCard/MeCard), email, phone, SMS and map locations.
- Plain text — anything else, such as tickets, codes or serial numbers.
Stay safe with QR codes
QR codes can hide malicious links (“quishing”) — for example stickers placed over real codes on parking meters. This scanner never opens a link automatically: check that the domain is the one you expect, watch for misspellings, and be careful with any page that asks for payment or passwords.
Private by design
Decoding happens entirely in your browser. Camera frames and images are not uploaded, and the scan history lives only in this tab.
Tools that pair well with the QR Code Scanner
- Barcode Generator — Make scannable barcodes for products, inventory, shipping and libraries — check digits are calculated for you, and you can download a sharp SVG for print or a PNG for documents.
- Webcam Test — Check that your camera works and looks good before a video call — see the live picture, the real resolution and frame rate, and save a snapshot.
- URL Parser — Paste a URL to see every component and decoded query parameter — then edit, add or remove parameters and copy the rebuilt URL.
- Image to Base64 — Turn a PNG, JPEG, SVG, WebP or GIF into a Base64 data URI with copy-ready CSS and HTML — or paste a Base64 string to preview and download the image.
Frequently asked questions
How do I scan a QR code on my screen?
Take a screenshot (Windows: Win+Shift+S, Mac: Cmd+Shift+4), then paste it here with Ctrl+V or drop the file. The code is read straight from the image.
Does it scan barcodes too?
In Chrome on Android, macOS and ChromeOS the built-in detector also reads EAN, UPC, Code 128 and other barcodes. Other browsers read QR codes.
Why won’t my QR code scan?
Common causes are glare, blur, too little contrast or a code that is cut off. Fill the frame with the code, avoid reflections, or try a sharper screenshot.
Is it safe to open a scanned link?
Check the domain first — the scanner shows it before opening. Be wary of shortened links and pages that ask for logins or payments.
Can I install QR Code Scanner as a web app and use it offline?
Yes. QR Code Scanner is an installable web app (PWA) — installed from your browser, not downloaded from an app store. Click Install app at the top of this page in Chrome or Edge (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS) or on Android, use Share → Add to Home Screen on iPhone and iPad, or File → Add to Dock in Safari 17+ on a Mac. It then opens in its own window with its own icon, and because it runs entirely in your browser it keeps working offline. Firefox on desktop can’t install web apps. How installing works.