How to read a QR code from an image
Get an image of the code
Take a screenshot, save the picture from a message or webpage, or photograph the printed code. A straight-on, well-lit photo works best.
Add it above
Drop the file onto the box, click to choose it, or paste an image from your clipboard.
Read the result
The tool shows the exact text inside the code. For a link, it shows the destination site and flags common red flags.
Decide whether to open it
Nothing opens automatically. If the destination looks right and you trust where the code came from, use the button to open it in a new tab.
Is this QR code safe to open?
A QR code is only a way of writing text. The danger is the destination, and because you cannot read a code by eye, scammers print their own on stickers and paste them over real ones in car parks, restaurants and on parcels. Before opening a link:
- Check the site name. Compare the destination with what you expected. A payment code for “Maple Street Coffee” that opens an unrelated domain is a red flag.
- Be wary of shorteners. A short link hides its destination. It is not unsafe by itself, but be careful if it came from a sticker or an unexpected message.
- Look for tampering. If a printed code is a sticker laid over another one, do not scan it.
- Never enter passwords or card details from a code you cannot verify. Go to the organization’s official site or app instead.
Why a QR code will not scan
- Too small or too far. The width should be about a tenth of the distance. The size calculator gives the exact figure.
- Low contrast or inverted colors. Dark modules on a light background scan best.
- No blank border. At least four modules of empty space on each side.
- Damaged, folded or glossy. Creases and reflections break modules. Try another angle.
- Too much data. Long text makes a dense code that needs more width or a better camera.
Frequently asked questions
Does this upload my image?
No. The image is decoded by code running in your browser and never leaves your device.
Can it read a QR code with the phone camera?
This page reads image files. To scan a printed code, use your phone’s built-in camera app, which supports QR codes on current iPhones and most Android phones.
Why does it say no QR code was found?
The image may be blurry, cropped too tightly or missing the blank border. Try a sharper, larger image with the whole code visible.
Can it tell me if a link is malicious?
It flags warning signs in the address itself, such as raw IP addresses and look-alike characters. It cannot prove a page is safe, so use caution with any link you cannot verify.