You do not need a special app to read a QR code or a barcode. This free online barcode and QR code scanner works in your browser: point your camera at a code, or upload or paste a picture of it, and the content appears instantly. It reads QR codes and common product barcodes such as EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128 and more. Nothing is uploaded to TextAgo, and you do not need to install anything.
How to scan a barcode or QR code online — step by step
- Press Start camera. Your browser asks for permission to use the camera. Choose Allow. On phones, the rear camera is selected automatically.
- Frame the code. Hold the code inside the white frame, about 15–30 cm away, with enough light. Keep it steady for a second.
- Read the result. When a code is detected, your device may vibrate, and the content, its format (for example qr_code or ean_13) and action buttons appear.
- Copy or open. Copy the text, or — if it is a web address — press Open link. For other codes, Search the web looks up the number for you.
- Stop the camera. Press Stop camera when you are done. Camera access ends immediately.
What kinds of codes can it read?
| Type | Common use |
|---|---|
| QR code | Website links, Wi-Fi details, payment requests, tickets, menus, contact cards |
| EAN-13 / EAN-8 | Retail products in most countries |
| UPC-A / UPC-E | Retail products in North America |
| Code 128 / Code 39 | Shipping labels, inventory, library items |
| ITF, Codabar, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec | Cartons, logistics, documents, boarding passes (depending on your browser) |
The exact list depends on your browser. Chrome on Android and desktop includes a native barcode detector that supports many formats quickly. Where it is not available, the tool loads an open-source reader that handles the most common formats.
Tips for fast, reliable scanning
- Light matters most. Avoid glare on glossy packaging; tilt the item slightly if the code shines.
- Distance and focus. If the code is blurry, move the phone away a little and let the camera refocus.
- Fill the frame sensibly. A code that is too small or too large is harder to read.
- Keep the code flat. Curved bottles and crumpled labels distort lines; scan along the flattest part.
- Clean the lens. A smudged camera is the most common reason for failed scans.
- Try an image. A sharp screenshot is often easier to read than a live view.
QR code safety: look before you tap
QR codes are convenient, but they hide the destination, so scammers sometimes stick fake codes over real ones — on parking meters, restaurant tables and posters — to send people to fake payment or login pages. This tool helps you stay safer because it shows the full text of the code before anything opens. Check the address carefully:
- Does the web address match the company or service you expect?
- Does it use https:// and a spelling you recognise, without extra characters or unfamiliar words?
- Is it a shortened link that hides the real destination? Treat those with extra caution.
- Is the code a sticker placed over another code? Do not trust it.
- Never enter passwords, card numbers or one-time codes on a page you reached from a code you are unsure about.
Links opened from this page use a new tab and settings that prevent the destination from controlling this page. Only web addresses starting with http or https offer an Open link button; other content is shown as plain text.
Everyday uses
Reading product barcodes
Scan the number on a product to copy it, compare it, or search for it online. The tool reads the number; it does not itself look up prices or reviews.
Checking a QR code on a poster or menu
See the link before visiting it, and copy it to share with a friend.
Reading Wi-Fi or contact QR codes
Many Wi-Fi codes contain text such as the network name and password. You can copy the details and enter them manually.
Inventory and small-business tasks
Quickly scan item codes into a list on any phone or laptop with a camera, then paste the history into the Text to Excel tool.
Decoding a QR code from a screenshot
If a friend sends a QR image, upload or paste it here instead of pointing a camera at another screen.
Barcodes vs. QR codes: what is the difference?
A traditional barcode is one-dimensional: a row of vertical lines that stores a short number, usually 8 to 13 digits, which identifies a product. The number itself carries no description; a shop’s database links it to a name and price. A QR code is two-dimensional: a square of dots that can hold hundreds of characters, such as a full web address, a Wi-Fi login or a contact card, and it still works if part of the code is damaged, thanks to built-in error correction. That is why QR codes are used for links and payments, while barcodes remain the standard for products.
When you scan a product barcode here, you get the number, for example 5901234123457. You can copy it, or use Search the web to see which product matches. When you scan a QR code, you get whatever text is stored inside, which is often a link. Understanding the difference helps you decide what to do next with the result.
Scanning for small businesses and events
You can use any device with a camera as a quick scanner without special hardware. Market sellers can scan product codes to build a stock list; teachers can scan student ID codes; event organisers can read ticket codes for a quick check. Because the history list shows the last 30 scans, you can scan a batch, press Copy on each result, and paste them into a spreadsheet. For large-scale or regulated use, such as retail checkouts or healthcare, rely on professional scanners and software designed for those workflows.
Privacy and camera permissions
The camera feed is processed on your device. It is not recorded, saved or uploaded; the video appears only on your screen. The tool asks for camera permission only when you press Start camera and releases the camera as soon as you stop it or leave the page. Scanned results are kept only in the history list on the page and disappear when you reload it. If your browser has no built-in detector, a small open-source scanning library is downloaded from a public content-delivery network; that request does not contain your images. See our Privacy Policy for more.
Troubleshooting
“Could not access the camera”
Allow camera access in your browser’s address bar or site settings. Close other apps that may be using the camera and reload the page. Camera access also requires a secure (HTTPS) connection, which this site uses.
The camera opens but nothing scans
Improve lighting, hold the code steady and fill the frame. If the code is damaged or very small, try scanning a photo of it.
“No barcode or QR code found in this image”
Use a sharper, larger image with the code fully visible and not cut off at the edges.
The scan result looks like random characters
Some codes contain encoded data meant for a particular app (such as a ticket or payment system). The tool shows the raw content exactly as stored.
The front camera opens instead of the back camera
Your browser decides which camera is used. On desktop, choose the camera in the browser’s permission prompt.
Frequently asked questions about barcode and QR scanning
Can I scan a QR code on my computer?
Yes. Use a webcam, or upload or paste a screenshot of the code.
Do I need to install an app?
No. It works in a modern browser such as Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox.
Does it work on iPhone?
Yes, in recent versions of Safari. Allow camera access when asked. Format support can differ from Chrome.
Is my camera video stored?
No. It is shown on your screen and not recorded or uploaded.
Why did the page not open the link automatically?
This is a safety feature: you see the address first and decide whether to open it.
Can it scan several codes in a row?
Yes. Each new code is added to the history list (the last 30 are kept while the page is open).