QR Code Reader
Read QR codes from an image or with your camera.
You can also paste a screenshot directly (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V)
The QR code's content will appear here
How do you read a QR code from an image without scanning it with your phone?
Upload or paste the image containing the QR code and this tool decodes it instantly right in your browser, without sending the file to any server. It's the fastest way to read a QR code from a screenshot, a PDF exported as an image, or a photo saved on your device — a case where a phone camera can't help, since it can't scan its own screen. It automatically recognizes the content type — a URL, a WiFi network, a vCard contact, an email, a phone number, an SMS, or a location — and displays it in readable fields with the matching action, instead of a raw block of text you have to decipher yourself. You can also turn on your device's camera to scan a physical QR code live. Everything runs locally, it's free, and no signup is required.
How to use QR Code Reader
- Drag the image containing the QR code into the box, click to pick a file from your device, or paste it directly with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac) if you already copied it to your clipboard.
- To scan a physical QR code instead, click "Scan with camera" and grant permission when your browser asks.
- The tool decodes the QR code and automatically detects its content type: link, WiFi network, contact, email, phone number, SMS, location, or plain text.
- Review the formatted content in the right-hand panel, along with the matching action (open the link, call the number, view the network details, and so on).
- Copy the content to your clipboard with one click to reuse it wherever you need it.
Common use cases
Reading a QR code from a screenshot
Someone sent you a screenshot in chat with a QR code in it — an office WiFi password, a coupon, an access link. A phone can't point its own camera at its own screen, so uploading the screenshot here is the only direct way to read it.
Recovering the details from a digital business card
You scanned or were forwarded a contact QR code (vCard) and need the exact name, phone number, and email without transcription errors, instead of typing them out by hand from the screen.
Verifying a printed QR code before it goes on a poster or flyer
Before sending a thousand flyers to print with a QR code someone else generated, upload it here to confirm exactly which URL it points to and avoid an expensive last-minute mistake.
Connecting to a WiFi network from a QR code embedded in a PDF
A welcome document or coworking manual includes the WiFi QR code as an image inside a PDF. Here you can see the SSID and password as plain text instead of scanning a printed page.
Checking a QR code's safety before scanning it with your phone
A QR code stuck on a wall or a restaurant table could be malicious. Upload it here first to see exactly what domain it points to, without risking opening it directly on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a QR code from a screenshot if my phone can't scan its own screen?
Upload the screenshot as an image to this tool (drag the file, click to select it, or paste it with Ctrl+V if you already copied it). It's decoded right in your browser — no second camera and nothing to print.
Is it safe to scan unknown QR codes?
Not always. A QR code can lead to phishing sites, trigger downloads, or use the "user@fake-domain.com" trick to look like a trusted domain while linking somewhere else entirely. This tool shows you the real URL before you open it, and flags that trick or an unsafe scheme like javascript: or data:, so you can decide with full information instead of opening it blind with your phone's camera.
Does the camera send video to any server?
No. Camera access uses the browser's standard API (getUserMedia), and each frame is analyzed locally with JavaScript. No video, image, or frame ever leaves your device, and the camera's tracks are stopped the moment you close the scanner.
Why can't the tool find the QR code in my image?
This usually happens with blurry photos, poor lighting, or a QR code that's very small within the image. The tool automatically retries at different scale levels and color inversion settings before showing an error; if it still fails, try a sharper image or crop it down to the QR code area.
Can it read WiFi, contact, or messaging QR codes?
Yes. It detects and formats WiFi networks (SSID, password, and encryption), vCard and MECARD contacts, emails, phone numbers, SMS messages, and location coordinates, in addition to links and plain text.
Do I need to install an app or sign up to use it?
No. It's free, runs directly in your browser with no signup and no install, and there's no usage limit. It's the reading counterpart to our QR code generator.