This online barcode scanner reads UPC, EAN, Code 128, Code 39, ITF, Codabar, QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417 and other barcodes from your camera or from an image file, free and with no app to install. It shows the barcode type and data, checks the GS1 check digit on UPC and EAN codes, and can find several barcodes in one picture. Images and camera frames are read in your browser and are not uploaded.
How to scan a barcode online
- Press Use camera and allow camera access, or press Upload an image. You can also drop a picture on the box or paste one with Ctrl+V.
- Hold the barcode flat, fill most of the frame with it and keep it in focus. The result appears as soon as it is read.
- Copy the data, open a link after checking it, or download all results as a CSV file.
What this barcode scanner reads
| Family | Types |
|---|---|
| Retail | UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, EAN-8 |
| Industrial and logistics | Code 128 (and GS1-128), Code 39, Code 93, ITF, Codabar |
| 2D | QR Code, Micro QR, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec |
The reader is ZXing ("zebra crossing"), an open-source barcode library, compiled to run in the browser. It is the same reader we use to test every barcode this site makes.
Check a barcode before you print it
Make a barcode with the barcode generator, print one test copy, take a photo of it and upload it here. If the scanner returns exactly the number you entered, the print size and contrast are good. For UPC and EAN codes the result also says whether the check digit is correct.
Scan barcodes from an image
- Use a sharp photo or screenshot; blur is the most common reason a scan fails.
- Crop close to the barcode if the picture shows a lot of other things.
- Several barcodes in one image are all read, up to 20.
- Images up to 15 MB in PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF or BMP work.
Scan a QR code safely
When a QR code holds a link, the scanner shows the full address as text first. Read it before you press Open: a QR code on a poster or a parking meter can point to a fake site. To make your own QR code, use the QR code generator.
Is it private?
Yes. The camera picture and any image you upload are read by code running in your browser. Nothing is sent to our server, and nothing is saved when you close the page.
Tips for scanning barcodes
- Use good light and avoid glare on shiny packaging.
- Hold the phone 10 to 20 cm from small barcodes and keep it parallel to the label.
- Use the back camera; it usually focuses better than the front camera.
- For tiny Data Matrix codes, take a photo and upload it instead of using live video.
- If a UPC scans as a 13-digit EAN starting with 0, that is the same product number.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan a barcode?
No. This page scans in your web browser with your phone or laptop camera, or from a saved image.
Why does the camera not start?
The browser needs camera permission for this site, and some in-app browsers block the camera. Allow access, open the page in Chrome, Safari or Edge, or upload a photo instead.
Can it read a barcode from a screenshot or PDF?
Yes for screenshots and images. For a PDF, take a screenshot of the page and upload that.
Why does my UPC show 13 digits?
Many readers report a UPC-A as an EAN-13 with a leading 0. The product number is the same.
Are my images uploaded?
No. The barcode is read in your browser, and the image never leaves your device.