Scan Your QR Code
Drag & drop a QR code image here, or click to upload
You can also paste an image with Ctrl+V / Cmd+V
Supports PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF
How to Scan a QR Code Online
Decode any QR code in 3 simple steps
Upload Your Image
Drag & drop a QR code image, click to browse, or paste from clipboard (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V).
Instant Decode
Our scanner reads the QR code instantly using client-side technology, no server upload needed.
Copy & Use
Copy the decoded content to clipboard or follow the link. Create your own QR code with our free tools.
Supported QR Code Formats
Our scanner decodes all standard QR code types
Website URL
Links to websites, landing pages, and online resources
WiFi Network
WiFi credentials including network name, password, and encryption type
vCard Contact
Digital business cards with name, phone, email, and address
Plain Text
Any text content encoded in a QR code
Pre-composed emails with recipient, subject, and body
Phone Number
Phone numbers for quick dialing
SMS Message
Pre-composed SMS messages with recipient number
WhatsApp chat links with pre-filled messages
QR Code Scanner Use Cases
See how people use our online QR scanner
Verify Printed QR Codes
Check that your printed QR codes work correctly before distributing flyers, posters, or business cards.
Decode Unknown QR Codes
Safely preview what's inside a QR code before opening it on your phone, check URLs and content first.
Extract Contact Data
Pull vCard contact information, WiFi passwords, or other data from QR code images.
No Camera Needed
Decode QR codes from screenshots, emails, or documents without needing a phone camera.
Quality Assurance
Test QR codes during design and production to ensure they encode the correct data.
QR Code Scanning: How It Works Under the Hood
Every QR code follows a precise structure that makes it readable by cameras and scanning software. Understanding that structure helps you create codes that scan reliably in any environment, and it helps you troubleshoot the ones that do not.
How QR Codes Store Data
A QR code is a two-dimensional grid of black and white modules arranged inside a square boundary. Three large finder patterns sit in the top-left, top-right, and bottom-left corners. These squares tell the scanner where the code begins and how it is oriented, so codes can be read at any angle. Smaller alignment patterns appear in larger codes to correct for surface curvature or printing distortion. The remaining modules carry the actual data, encoded in one of four modes: numeric (digits only, up to 7,089 characters), alphanumeric (digits plus uppercase letters and a few symbols, up to 4,296 characters), byte mode (any UTF-8 text, up to 2,953 bytes), or Kanji (Japanese characters). The scanner reads format information near the finder patterns to determine the error correction level and masking pattern, then decodes the data stream module by module. Version 1 codes use a 21x21 grid, while the largest Version 40 codes use 177x177 modules. Most real-world codes fall between Version 2 and Version 10, which balances data capacity against physical size.
Error Correction Levels Explained
QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction, which means they can still be read even when part of the code is damaged or obscured. There are four levels: L restores up to 7% of lost data, M handles 15%, Q handles 25%, and H can recover from 30% damage. Higher error correction sounds better, but it comes with a trade-off. More error correction data means fewer modules are available for your actual content, so the code either holds less data or needs to be physically larger. Level M is the default for most generators, and it works well for digital screens and clean print environments. Level Q or H makes sense for codes that will be printed on rough surfaces, placed outdoors, or partially covered by a logo. If you plan to put an image or icon over the center of your QR code, use Level H. That center overlay effectively damages 10-15% of the code, so you need the highest recovery margin available.
Camera Requirements and Scan Distance
Successful scanning depends on three factors: camera resolution, the physical size of the QR code, and the distance between them. A general rule is that the scan distance can be roughly 10 times the width of the code. A 3 cm code scans reliably at about 30 cm. A poster-sized 30 cm code can be read from 3 meters away. Modern smartphone cameras (12 MP and above) handle QR codes easily. The limiting factor is usually focus distance rather than resolution. Phones struggle with very small codes (under 2 cm) because the autofocus cannot lock on at close range. Lighting matters more than people expect. Glossy surfaces create reflections that confuse the scanner, and low-light conditions reduce contrast between black and white modules. Matte print finishes scan more reliably than glossy ones. If you are placing codes in a dimly lit environment, increase the physical size by 50% and maintain strong contrast between the foreground and background colors.
Troubleshooting Common Scan Failures
When a QR code will not scan, the cause almost always falls into one of five categories. First, the code is too small for the viewing distance. Second, there is not enough contrast between the code and its background. Dark blue on black or light gray on white will not work. Stick to a contrast ratio of at least 4:1. Third, the code is damaged, wrinkled, or partially covered. This is where error correction level matters. Fourth, the URL or data encoded is so long that the code has too many tiny modules, making them hard for cameras to distinguish. Shorten the URL or reduce the text. Fifth, the code was generated as a low-resolution raster image (PNG at small size) and then enlarged, which blurs the module edges. Always generate at a high resolution or use SVG format, which scales without quality loss. If you have tested all five and the code still fails, try scanning with a different app. Some older scanning apps do not support newer QR code versions or certain encoding modes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our QR code scanner
Yes, 100% free. No hidden fees, no premium tier, no sign-up required. Scan unlimited QR codes.
No. All processing happens in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your images never leave your device.
We support PNG, JPG/JPEG, WebP, and GIF formats. The image should contain a clear, undamaged QR code.
Yes! Press Ctrl+V (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+V (Mac) to paste a QR code image directly from your clipboard.
Our scanner detects URLs, WiFi credentials, vCard contacts, plain text, email, phone numbers, SMS, and WhatsApp links.
Make sure the QR code is clear, undamaged, and not too small. Try cropping the image to focus on the QR code, or use a higher resolution image.
Yes! You can upload screenshots, paste them from clipboard, or drag & drop them into the scanner.
Yes, the scanner works on any modern browser including mobile. Upload from your photo library or paste from clipboard.
Yes! After decoding, we show a link to the matching QR code generator so you can create your own similar QR code.
No limits at all. Scan as many QR codes as you want, as often as you want. Everything runs locally in your browser.
Create Your Own QR Codes
Use our free QR code generators to create your own