How to use the QR Code Reader
Decode a QR code in two ways:
1
Upload an image or use your camera
Drag and drop a QR code image onto the upload zone, click to browse for a file, or switch to Camera Scan mode to scan a physical QR code in real time using your device's camera.
2
Read the decoded result
The tool automatically decodes the QR code and identifies the content type. URLs show an Open button. Wi-Fi QR codes display a parsed credential breakdown with SSID, password, and security type.
When to use this tool
Use this tool when you need to decode a QR code from an image without a mobile app:
- →Extracting the URL or text from a QR code found in a screenshot, PDF, or document on your computer
- →Verifying what a QR code you just generated actually encodes before printing or sharing it
- →Recovering Wi-Fi credentials from a QR code when you can't find your router password
- →Decoding QR codes in product photos, marketing materials, or email attachments on a desktop browser
- →Security auditing — checking where a QR code in an email or message actually redirects before scanning with your phone
- →Developers testing QR codes generated by their applications to confirm the encoded payload is correct
Frequently asked questions
Q:Why can't the tool read my QR code from an image?
The most common causes of failed QR scans are: (1) blur or low resolution — the image needs enough pixels to resolve the individual QR modules; (2) extreme perspective distortion — the QR code was photographed at a sharp angle rather than head-on; (3) insufficient contrast between the QR pattern and background — codes printed on dark backgrounds or with non-standard colors may not scan; (4) the QR code occupies too small a portion of the image — crop the image so the QR code fills most of the frame; (5) partial obstruction — part of the QR code is cut off or covered. Try cropping tightly around the QR code and increasing image brightness/contrast before uploading.
Q:Can this tool decode QR codes from a screenshot or PDF?
Yes — take a screenshot of the QR code (on Windows: Win+Shift+S, on Mac: Cmd+Shift+4, on mobile: power + volume down) and upload the resulting PNG or JPG. For PDFs, use a PDF reader's snapshot or screenshot tool to capture just the QR code area. The scanner works with any image file format the browser can render — PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, and BMP are all supported. You can also paste images directly from clipboard in most modern browsers.
Q:Is the camera scanner safe to use — is my camera feed recorded?
No data from your camera is ever transmitted anywhere. The camera scanner uses your browser's MediaDevices API to access the video stream locally, then the jsQR library analyzes each frame entirely in JavaScript running in your browser tab. No frames are uploaded, stored, or sent to any server. When you close the scanner or navigate away, the camera stream is immediately stopped. You can verify this by watching your browser's camera indicator icon — it will appear only while the scanner is active and disappear when you close it.
Q:Why does the tool show my Wi-Fi password after scanning a Wi-Fi QR code?
Wi-Fi QR codes store credentials in plain text using the WIFI:T:WPA;S:SSID;P:password;; format — there is no encryption. When you scan a Wi-Fi QR code with any scanner (phone, app, or this tool), the password is always readable from the QR code image. This is by design — the purpose of Wi-Fi QR codes is to make password sharing convenient. This is why you should never post a Wi-Fi QR code publicly online, as anyone who downloads the image can extract the password. Treat a Wi-Fi QR code image with the same care as the password itself.
Q:What QR code versions and formats does jsQR support?
jsQR supports all standard QR Code versions 1 through 40, all four error correction levels (L, M, Q, H), and all QR encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte, and kanji). It handles both standard white-on-black QR codes and inverted black-on-white variants. It does not support Micro QR Codes (smaller variant used in industrial applications), QR Code Model 1 (obsolete pre-1997 format), or proprietary 2D barcode formats like Data Matrix, Aztec, or PDF417. For those formats, a dedicated library like ZXing (used in Google's Barcode Scanner) would be needed.
Q:How do I scan a QR code that is displayed on another screen?
Use Camera Scan mode and point your device's camera at the screen. Ensure the room has good lighting and the screen's brightness is high enough. Avoid scanning at an extreme angle — try to hold your device parallel to the screen showing the QR code. If the scan is difficult due to screen glare, reduce the screen brightness slightly or change the viewing angle. Alternatively, take a screenshot of the screen showing the QR code and upload it using the image upload mode — this is often more reliable than camera scanning screens due to moire patterns and refresh rate interference.