Skip to content

Read QR Code from Image

Free

Upload an image containing a QR code and decode it instantly. PNG, JPG, screenshots — all work. Free, browser-only, no upload to server.

decode qr code from imageqr code reader from picturescan qr code from photo
All QR Code Tools

Settings guide

Image quality requirements:

  • ·The QR code must be clearly visible in the image — not blurry, significantly cropped, or extremely small relative to the overall image size
  • ·Resolution: the QR code portion should be at least 100×100 pixels in the uploaded image for reliable decoding
  • ·Contrast: the QR code needs sufficient contrast between the dark modules and the light background

If decoding fails:

1. Crop the image to show only the QR code (or just the QR with a small margin) and re-upload

2. Increase brightness/contrast in an image editor if the code is faded or low-contrast

3. Use a screenshot tool to recapture the QR code from the original source at higher resolution

Supported image formats: PNG, JPG/JPEG, WEBP, GIF (static), BMP.

Multiple QR codes in one image: If the image contains more than one QR code, the decoder returns the first one it detects. Crop to isolate individual codes if you need each one separately.

Format comparison

vs camera-based scanning: Pointing your phone at a physical QR code is faster when the code is on a tangible object. Image upload is the right approach when the QR code exists only as a digital image — a screenshot, a received image, or an exported design file — where pointing a camera at the screen introduces moiré interference or focus problems.

vs Google Lens image search: Google Lens can decode QR codes from images uploaded to it. The trade-off: your image is sent to Google's servers. For internal URLs or sensitive QR codes, local browser-based decoding is preferable.

vs dedicated app-based scanners: Apps are excellent on phones. On a desktop, opening a browser URL is faster than installing and running an app.

How it works

1

Upload the image

Drag and drop or click to select a PNG, JPG, or screenshot file containing a QR code.

2

Auto-detect

The decoder scans the image, locates the QR pattern, and extracts the encoded data — typically in under one second.

3

Read the result

The decoded content displays: URL, text, WiFi details, contact info, or other data. Click any URL to open it.

About this format

You have an image — a screenshot, a photo, a downloaded PNG — and it contains a QR code. You want to know what it decodes to without pointing a phone at your screen. This tool reads the QR code from the image file and shows you the decoded content.

Upload any image file (PNG, JPG, WEBP, GIF) that contains a QR code. The decoder finds the QR pattern within the image — even if the QR code does not fill the entire image — and extracts the encoded data. Results appear immediately: the raw text, URL, WiFi credentials, vCard, or whatever content the QR code contains.

This is useful when: a client sends you a QR code to review; you receive a QR code in an email attachment; you want to verify what your generated QR code decodes to; you have a product image with a QR code and need the URL it encodes; you are auditing QR codes in printed materials.

The decoding runs entirely in your browser. The image you upload is processed locally using a JavaScript QR decoding library. The file and its contents are never transmitted to a server, which matters when the QR code might contain sensitive internal URLs or credentials.

Frequently asked questions

Can I decode a QR code from a screenshot?+
Yes. Screenshots are the most common use case for this tool. Take a screenshot of any screen showing a QR code, then upload that image file. The decoder finds the QR pattern within the screenshot — even if the QR code is a small portion of a larger screen capture — and extracts the encoded content. PNG screenshots work best due to lossless quality.
What if the QR code in my image does not decode?+
Try cropping the image to isolate just the QR code with a small border, then re-upload. Very small QR codes in large images sometimes fall below the decoder's detection threshold. Also check that the image is not blurry or heavily compressed. JPEG compression artifacts at high compression levels can degrade the QR pattern and cause decoding failures.
Can this read a QR code from a PDF?+
Not directly — the tool accepts image files, not PDF files. To decode a QR code in a PDF: open the PDF, take a screenshot of the page containing the QR code, and upload that screenshot. Alternatively, export the PDF page as a PNG from your PDF viewer and upload the exported image.
Is it safe to upload images containing QR codes with sensitive URLs?+
Yes. The image processing runs entirely in your browser using a local JavaScript library. Your image is never uploaded to a server, and the decoded QR content is never transmitted anywhere. The result is displayed only in your browser tab and cleared when you close or navigate away. No data is logged or stored.
Can I decode a QR code that is partially obscured or damaged?+
QR codes have built-in error correction. If the QR was generated with a higher error correction level (Q or H), it can be decoded even when up to 25–30 percent of the pattern is covered or damaged. A low-error-correction QR (level L) may fail if even a small part is obscured. Try uploading the clearest version of the image available.

Related tools and guides