QR Code Scanner
A QR code scanner reads a code back into the text it holds, so you can check what a printed code actually does before you trust it.
You can also drag an image here, or paste one with Ctrl+V.
Nothing scanned yet. The picture never leaves your phone — the code is read here, in this page.
This scanner reads a QR code and shows you what it holds, without opening it. Use the camera, upload a photo, drag an image in, or paste one from the clipboard. Everything happens inside this page: the image is decoded by JavaScript on your own device and is never sent anywhere, which is why the scanner keeps working with the network switched off.
Reading a code before acting on it matters most for the codes you did not print. A sticker over a parking meter’s code, or a flyer pushed through a door, is the cheapest phishing there is — the person scanning has no way to see the address first. That is what the warnings above the decoded text are for.
How to scan a QR code here
- Press Use camera and point the back camera at the code — it reads on its own, with no button to press.
- Or upload a photo of the code, drag the image onto the panel, or paste one straight from your clipboard.
- Read the decoded text before you act on it, especially any warning shown above it in red.
- If it is a payment code, check the name and UPI ID again on your payment app's own confirmation screen.
Ways to read a QR code you did not make
| Method | Shows the text before opening it | Works on a printed photo | Sends the image somewhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| This scanner | Yes | Yes | No |
| Your phone's camera app | Usually a preview only | Sometimes | No |
| A scanner app from an app store | Varies by app | Yes | Often, with adverts |
| An online scanner that uploads | Yes | Yes | Yes — the image goes to their server |
Frequently asked questions
Does my photo get uploaded anywhere?
No. The code is decoded by JavaScript running in this page, on your own device, and the image never leaves it. This site has no server to send it to — every page here is a static file, which you can confirm by opening your browser's network tab while you scan.
Why does the camera not start?
Three common reasons: the browser is waiting for you to allow camera access, the site is not on https, or the device has no camera. The upload, drag and paste options work in all three cases and read exactly the same codes.
What do the red warnings mean?
They mark things about a link that are worth a second look before you open it — an unencrypted address, a bare IP, a shortener that hides where it really goes, or a domain spelled with characters that only look familiar. A warning is not proof of an attack, and their absence is not proof of safety.
Why does it show the link instead of opening it?
Because opening it is the risky part, and a printed code is the one link you cannot inspect before tapping. The whole point of scanning here rather than with a camera app is to read the address first and decide yourself.
Can it read a damaged or blurry code?
Often, but not always. QR codes carry error correction, so a code with a small tear or a logo over the middle usually still reads. A photo taken at a sharp angle, in poor light, or cropped too tightly is the usual reason a scan fails — include a little white space around the code.
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