QR Code Scanner
Scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo, review the decoded content, and choose when to open a link.
✓ Browser-local QR processingQR scanner FAQ
Why might a QR code fail to scan?
Very small, blurred, cropped, low-contrast or heavily stylized codes can be difficult to decode. Try a sharper image with the full QR code visible.
Does the scanner open QR links automatically?
No. The decoded value is shown first. A detected web address only becomes an active destination after you choose to open it.
What can a QR code contain?
A QR code can contain a website address, plain text, contact information or another encoded value. Decoding reveals the payload; it does not certify that the destination is trustworthy.
Get a cleaner QR scan from screenshots and photos
Keep the full QR square visible and avoid tight cropping through the corner markers. A sharp screenshot usually scans more reliably than a blurred camera photo. If a photo fails, try better lighting, hold the camera straighter and make sure the code fills a useful part of the frame without cutting off its edges.
Review links before you open them
A QR code can contain a web address, plain text or another value. Decoding a code does not prove the destination is safe. Read the domain first, be cautious with shortened links, and do not enter passwords or payment details after an unexpected QR prompt.
Keep sensitive images local when possible
Prefer local scanning for ordinary private screenshots instead of uploading them to an unknown service. Treat decoded URLs as untrusted input until you verify the destination independently.
Related: QR Code Generator · QR phishing safety guide · All Tools.
What a decoded QR result can contain
A QR code is a two-dimensional symbol that stores text or a compact payload. That payload may be a website URL, contact card, Wi-Fi configuration, plain text or another structured value. Scanning only decodes what is encoded; it does not prove that a website is safe, verify who created the code or guarantee that a payment instruction is genuine. The result should be shown as text first so you can decide what to do with it.
Scan a code and review the destination
- Choose a clear screenshot or photo in which the full QR symbol is visible.
- Keep the image square enough and sharp enough that the corner markers can be recognised.
- Run the scanner and wait for the decoded content to appear.
- Read the complete URL or text before copying it, and inspect the domain for misspellings or unexpected redirects.
If the image contains glare, a cropped corner or a very small code, try a higher-resolution source instead of repeatedly scanning the same unclear image. A QR code can be valid but still point to an expired page, a private resource or an unsafe download. When a code claims to be from a bank, employer, school or public agency, compare the address with that organisation's independently known website before entering information.
Security and privacy notes
The scanner displays the decoded value rather than opening a link automatically. That is a deliberate safety boundary: scanning and trusting are separate decisions. The image is processed in the browser for the decoding workflow, but normal browser network activity and downloaded client-side code may still occur. Avoid scanning confidential screenshots on a shared device, and do not follow unknown URLs simply because they were printed in a QR code.
QR scanner questions
Can a QR code itself be malicious?
The symbol is a carrier for data. The risk usually comes from the URL, Wi-Fi details, text or other action the encoded data invites you to use.
Why won't some screenshots scan?
Low resolution, blur, glare, perspective distortion, damage or an incomplete symbol can prevent reliable decoding.