Barcode Scanner Online

Scan any barcode or QR code with your phone or laptop camera, or from a photo or screenshot. See what it says, check the number, and find the product, all in your browser.

The camera picture stays on your device.

Or paste a screenshot, or drop an image here. Images are read on your device, not uploaded. Product numbers are looked up in free open databases.

How to scan a barcode online

  1. Press Start the camera and allow camera access when your browser asks. On a phone, the back camera is used.
  2. Hold the barcode about a hand's width away, flat and well lit. It's read as soon as it's in view; you don't need to line it up.
  3. Read the result. You see the type, the data, whether the check digit is right and, for products and books, the name if it's in an open database.
  4. Keep scanning. Every code you scan is listed below the scanner, ready to copy or download as a CSV.

No camera, or the barcode is in an email or PDF? Press Scan an image, paste a screenshot, or drop a picture onto the scanner.

What it reads

KindBarcodes
ProductsUPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, EAN-8, ISBN (with price add-on), GS1 DataBar
Shipping and stockCode 128, GS1-128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, ITF-14, Interleaved 2 of 5
2D codesQR Code, Micro QR, Data Matrix, GS1 DataMatrix, PDF417, Aztec, MaxiCode
Container cranes at the Port of Southampton
Container cranes at the Port of Southampton.

More than the digits

A scanner app shows you a number. This one explains it:

  • Check digit. UPC, EAN, ISBN, GTIN-14 and SSCC numbers are checked, and a wrong digit is pointed out with the correct number.
  • Who issued the number. The GS1 prefix shows which GS1 office licensed it, or that it's an in-store, coupon or demo number.
  • GS1 data spelled out. Batch, expiry, weight, serial and shipping codes in GS1-128, DataBar and GS1 DataMatrix are listed in plain English.
  • Codes you didn't expect. Amazon FNSKU and LPN labels, UPS and USPS tracking numbers, VINs, Wi-Fi details and contact cards are recognised.
  • Links shown before they open. A QR code's address is displayed first, so you can check the site before visiting.

Privacy

The camera picture and any image you choose are read by code running in your browser. They're never uploaded. When the code is a product or book number, that number alone is sent to free open databases (Open Food Facts, Open Beauty Facts, Open Products Facts and Open Library) to find its name. See our privacy policy.

Tips for a quick read

  • Light matters most. Avoid glare on shiny packs by tilting slightly.
  • Small barcodes need the phone closer; if it won't focus, step back a little.
  • Crumpled or curved labels read better when flattened.
  • On a laptop, hold the barcode up to the webcam rather than the screen up to the barcode.
Pallet racking in a distribution warehouse
Pallet racking in a distribution warehouse.

Questions

  • Yes. Open this page in your phone's browser and press Start the camera. No app needed.

  • Yes. Press Scan an image, paste a screenshot, or drop the picture onto the scanner. It reads several barcodes in one image.

  • No. Frames are read by code running in your browser and are never sent anywhere.

  • There's no free, complete database of every barcode. We check the largest open ones; many products, especially non-food items, aren't listed yet.

  • Scanning does, once the page has loaded. Product lookups need a connection.