How to scan a QR code online
- Press Start camera. Your browser asks for permission the first time; we never switch the camera on by ourselves.
- Hold the code inside the frame, about 15 to 30 cm from the lens. Most codes are read in under a second.
- Read the result. Links show the website name, whether the connection is encrypted, and warning signs such as raw IP addresses or look-alike domains.
- Open the link, copy the content, or scan another. The camera stops as soon as a code is found.
Why scan here instead of with your phone's camera app?
Your phone's built-in camera is perfectly good for everyday scanning. This page is useful when you want to see the full content before acting on it: the complete address hidden behind a short preview, a Wi-Fi password you want to copy, or the details of a contact card. It also works on a laptop, which most camera apps don't.
Privacy
Video frames are processed in your browser by the open-source ZXing decoder. Nothing is recorded, uploaded or stored, and the camera is released when you leave the page or press stop. If you'd rather not use the camera at all, upload a photo or screenshot instead.
If a code won't scan
- Add light. Dim rooms produce noisy frames, especially on laptop webcams.
- Move back a little. Webcams often can't focus closer than 20 cm.
- Avoid glare from glossy menus or screens by tilting the code slightly.
- For damaged or very small codes, take a sharp photo with your phone and use the image option.
Still stuck? Our guide to QR codes that won't scan covers the less obvious causes.
