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Scan QR Codes and Barcodes Instantly with Your Camera

Use your device camera to scan and decode QR codes, EAN barcodes, UPC codes, and other barcode formats. Results are processed entirely in your browser — no images are uploaded.

Detects and decodes barcodes and QR codes from your camera feed using the BarcodeDetector API, supporting formats including QR, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, ITF, and Data Matrix.

A standard QR code can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric digits, with built-in error correction that allows reading even when up to 30% of the code is damaged.

What Do Your Results Mean?

Result Range Meaning
Good Barcode detected and decoded within 1-2 seconds Your camera and browser support barcode scanning well. The decoded content (URL, text, or product code) is displayed immediately and can be copied or opened.
Warning Barcode detected but takes several seconds or requires repositioning Scanning works but conditions are suboptimal. Improve lighting, hold the camera steadier, or move closer to the barcode for faster detection.
Poor BarcodeDetector API not available or barcode not detected Your browser may not support the BarcodeDetector API, or the barcode is damaged, blurry, or in an unsupported format. Try Chrome or Edge on a supported platform.

Common Issues & Solutions

Browser reports BarcodeDetector is not supported

The BarcodeDetector API is supported in Chrome, Edge, and Opera on macOS, Windows, Android, and ChromeOS. Firefox and Safari have limited or no support. On Chrome, ensure 'Experimental Web Platform features' flag is enabled in chrome://flags if detection is unavailable.

QR code is not detected even when clearly visible

Ensure the entire QR code is within the camera frame with some margin around it. Avoid glare or shadows across the code. If the QR code is on a screen, reduce screen brightness to minimize reflections. Try holding the camera 15-30 cm from the code.

Camera feed is blurry and codes won't scan

Tap or click on the barcode area to trigger autofocus if supported. Hold the device steady. On desktop webcams, manually adjust focus if available. Ensure there is adequate lighting — barcode scanning requires clear contrast between the bars and background.

Scanner detects the wrong barcode format

If multiple barcodes are visible in the frame, the scanner may detect an unintended one. Position the camera to show only the target barcode. You can also filter by specific barcode formats in the scanner settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What barcode formats are supported?

The scanner supports all formats available through the BarcodeDetector API: QR Code, Data Matrix, Aztec, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, and ITF. The exact formats available depend on your platform — Android and ChromeOS typically support all formats, while macOS and Windows support varies by OS version.

Is scanning done locally or does it send images to a server?

All barcode detection and decoding runs entirely in your browser using the BarcodeDetector API, which leverages your operating system's native barcode detection capabilities. No camera frames, images, or decoded data are sent to any server. The tool works completely offline after the page loads.

Can I scan barcodes from a screenshot or image file?

Yes, in addition to live camera scanning, you can upload or paste an image containing a barcode. The BarcodeDetector API works with any ImageBitmapSource, including static images. This is useful for scanning barcodes from screenshots, PDFs, or photos without needing a second device.

Why is scanning faster on my phone than on my laptop?

Mobile devices often have better camera autofocus, higher resolution rear cameras, and optimized native barcode detection libraries. Laptop webcams typically have fixed focus and lower resolution, making it harder to capture sharp barcode images. For best results on a laptop, print the barcode large or use a well-lit environment.