Does live camera scanning work in every browser?

Yes — scanning runs through a JavaScript decoder rather than relying on any one browser's native barcode detection, so it works the same way in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, on both desktop and mobile.

The scanned result looks like a link — can I open it directly?

Yes — if the decoded content is a real link (a web address, email, phone number, or text message link), it's shown as a clickable link that opens in a new tab, not just plain text.

Can I save or share what was scanned?

Yes — Copy puts it on your clipboard, Download .txt saves it as a text file, and Share opens your device's share sheet on mobile (or copies it, on browsers without a share sheet).

What do I do if the camera says access was denied?

Browsers ask only once. Click the lock or info icon in the address bar, set Camera to Allow, reload, and try again. In an installed app, check the app's permissions in your phone settings. You can always use the upload box instead.

Which camera does it use?

It first asks for the rear camera, which suits phones. If the device has only a front camera, as most laptops do, the tool retries with whatever camera is available. A separate message appears if another app or tab is already using the camera.

What kinds of codes can it read?

It reads QR codes, Data Matrix, Aztec and PDF417, plus the common one-dimensional barcodes: EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) and GS1 DataBar (RSS-14). Codabar, GS1 DataBar Expanded and MaxiCode are not read. The card shows the detected format, for example QR code or EAN-13.

What happens when the code holds a Wi-Fi login or a contact card?

A Wi-Fi code is shown as network name, security type and password. A contact card is shown as name, company, phones, emails and website, with a button that downloads it as a .vcf file you can import into your address book.

Why does it warn me about some links?

Two cases are flagged: addresses that start with http instead of https, which are not encrypted, and links from a built-in list of shorteners such as bit.ly, where the final destination is hidden. The warning is advice only; the link still works if you click it.

Home/QR Codes & Barcodes/QR & Barcode Scanner

QR & Barcode Scanner

Scan QR codes and barcodes using your camera

Files never storedRuns on your device

The camera is needed to read the code. Frames stay on your device and nothing is uploaded.

Or upload an image

Drop an image with a code to scanTap to choose an image with a code to scan

or click to browseor tap to choose

Large files (over 50 MB) may take longer or run out of browser memory

About QR & Barcode Scanner

Scans a QR code or barcode using your device's camera or an uploaded image, and decodes the data it contains. If the result is a link, email, or phone number, it's shown as something you can tap or click directly — not just text to read.

Watch: QR & Barcode Scanner in Action

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Does live camera scanning work in every browser?: Yes — scanning runs through a JavaScript decoder rather than relying on any one browser's native barcode detection, so it works the same way in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, on both desktop and mobile.
The scanned result looks like a link — can I open it directly?: Yes — if the decoded content is a real link (a web address, email, phone number, or text message link), it's shown as a clickable link that opens in a new tab, not just plain text.
Can I save or share what was scanned?: Yes — Copy puts it on your clipboard, Download .txt saves it as a text file, and Share opens your device's share sheet on mobile (or copies it, on browsers without a share sheet).
What do I do if the camera says access was denied?: Browsers ask only once. Click the lock or info icon in the address bar, set Camera to Allow, reload, and try again. In an installed app, check the app's permissions in your phone settings. You can always use the upload box instead.
Which camera does it use?: It first asks for the rear camera, which suits phones. If the device has only a front camera, as most laptops do, the tool retries with whatever camera is available. A separate message appears if another app or tab is already using the camera.
What kinds of codes can it read?: It reads QR codes, Data Matrix, Aztec and PDF417, plus the common one-dimensional barcodes: EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, ITF (Interleaved 2 of 5) and GS1 DataBar (RSS-14). Codabar, GS1 DataBar Expanded and MaxiCode are not read. The card shows the detected format, for example QR code or EAN-13.
What happens when the code holds a Wi-Fi login or a contact card?: A Wi-Fi code is shown as network name, security type and password. A contact card is shown as name, company, phones, emails and website, with a button that downloads it as a .vcf file you can import into your address book.
Why does it warn me about some links?: Two cases are flagged: addresses that start with http instead of https, which are not encrypted, and links from a built-in list of shorteners such as bit.ly, where the final destination is hidden. The warning is advice only; the link still works if you click it.

How to use QR & Barcode Scanner

For event doors, open your project file first: when you scan a signed guest pass (made with Bulk QR or the Name Badge Maker) the scanner checks the signature offline, shows the guest, and can check them in; a copy, an altered code, or a pass from another project is refused. Press Start Camera Scanner and allow the camera when your browser asks. Hold the code inside the preview; scanning stops on its own the moment a code is read, and the camera is switched off. Press Stop Scanning to quit earlier. If you have no camera, or the code sits in a screenshot or photo, use the Or upload an image box, which reads the picture in one pass.

The result card names the format it found, such as QR code, and splits the content into labeled rows when it recognizes a Wi-Fi login, contact card, email, text message, phone number or web address. Use Copy, Download .txt or Share, or click the link itself. A contact card also gets a Save contact (.vcf) button.

When to use it

Reach for it when a QR code is on a screen you cannot point a phone at, such as a screenshot from a chat or a PDF flyer, and you want to see where it leads before opening it. It also helps on a laptop with a webcam when you need to read a product barcode, or copy the network name and password out of a Wi-Fi code.

When not to use it

Do not rely on it for payment codes or login approvals where a mistake costs money; your banking or authenticator app checks the payee or account for you. It also reads one code at a time, so for a whole sheet of labels or a warehouse count a dedicated inventory scanner is far quicker.

Tips for best results

Fill most of the frame with the code and avoid glare. A sharp, evenly lit screenshot often decodes more reliably than a tilted camera shot. Read the amber notice before clicking: the card flags addresses that start with http instead of https, and well-known link shorteners that hide the real destination. Wi-Fi codes show the password on screen, so scan them somewhere private.

Limitations

Decoding is done frame by frame by the ZXing JavaScript library, so very small, curved, low-contrast or steeply angled codes may fail, and an image holding several codes gives a single result. Camera mode needs a secure (https) page and a camera that no other app is holding. Only http, https, mailto, tel and sms results become clickable links; everything else stays plain text.

Privacy

Camera frames are decoded inside your browser tab by a decoder bundled with the page, and the stream is stopped as soon as a code is read or you press Stop Scanning. An uploaded image is read from your device, decoded locally and then released. Neither pictures nor decoded text are sent to the site; uploading only adds an anonymous usage tick.