QR Code Scanner
Read a QR code from a photo or your camera and copy what it holds. Links never open on their own, and the photo is not uploaded.
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QR Code Scanner: complete guide
Walk through the steps and examples, or jump straight to the topic you need.
At a glance
- Photo
- One JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 20 MB. Choosing and pasting are supported.
- Reading
- Reads one QR code at a time. It is not a scanner for ordinary product barcodes.
- Camera
- Works in supported browsers after you allow camera permission. It ends when a code is recognized or when you click Turn off camera.
- Content
- Shows and copies the original string. Only HTTP and HTTPS addresses get an open link, and it never navigates automatically.
How to use QR Code Scanner
Pick a photo or the camera
For a QR captured from another screen, choose a photo. For a printed QR, you can scan it with the camera. In an environment where it is hard to allow permission, use the photo method.
Show the whole QR and its margin
If the corners are cut off or the QR is too small, it may be hard to recognize. Prepare a clear photo in which one code appears large.
Check what was read
Web addresses, sentences and Wi-Fi settings strings are shown exactly as they are. For a link, check the domain first, and if it is not a web address, you can copy the content and use it.
Copy it or open the address
Copy content copies the original string. After a code is recognized the camera turns off, and it also stops when you switch to another tab or leave the page. To read the next code, choose a new photo or turn the camera on again.
What it’s good for
How to read a QR code in a photo
Choose one QR image or paste it onto this screen. The code reads best when its whole shape and the margin around it are visible. If the QR is too small, crop the image so a single code appears large, then try again.
Scan with the camera and check the content first
When you click Scan with camera, the browser asks for camera permission. Once a QR is read, the camera turns off and the content is shown. Addresses are never opened automatically, and the Open link button appears only for HTTP and HTTPS addresses. Text and Wi-Fi information can also be copied without anything being run automatically.
Worked examples
Reading an example QR address
Example QR button
Content: https://utilpick.comhttps://utilpick.com
Copy content and Open link are shownA QR with plain text
Content: Hello UtilPickHello UtilPick
Text shown without an open-link buttonChoosing what fits the task
Swipe the table sideways to see the rest.
| Choice | When to use it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a photo | A saved or captured QR | One photo with a clear code and margin |
| Paste | The image is copied to your clipboard | Paste the image onto the tool screen. |
| Camera | A QR on paper or another device | Needs a camera-capable environment and permission. |
When the result isn’t what you expected
It says it could not find a QR
Check the original resolution and crop so one QR appears large before trying again. The long side of the photo is reduced to at most 2,400 px, so a small QR inside a large screenshot can be hard to recognize.
The camera will not open
Check the browser permission and whether another app is using the camera. On a device without a camera, you can use the same reading by choosing a photo.
It does not connect to Wi-Fi automatically
It reads and copies the settings string. It does not change the device's network settings automatically, so check the information you need and use it on that device.
Key terms
- QR margin
- The empty border outside the code, which helps tell where its edges are.
- Content read
- The original string held in the code. The tool does not verify that the content is trustworthy.
QR Code Scanner FAQ
Do I have to allow camera permission?
Permission is needed only for camera scanning. Choosing a photo file works without camera permission.
What if it cannot find the QR?
Choose a clear image instead of a blurry or tiny one. Leave the margin around the QR, crop so one code appears large, and try again.
Does it read several QR codes at once?
It reads one QR code at a time. If there are several codes, crop out just the one you want to read.
Does it read product barcodes made of bars too?
It is for QR codes only. One-dimensional product barcodes and other two-dimensional code formats are not supported.
Are photos and camera video sent to a server?
Reading happens inside the browser. The photo you choose and the camera video are not sent to any reading server.