Barcode Reader — Scan a Barcode From an Image
Finds linear and 2D barcodes in an image and reads their numbers and text
Runs in your browser · nothing is uploaded
Drop a barcode photo here
One image such as JPG, PNG or WebP (up to 50 MB). Paste a screenshot with Ctrl+V (⌘V on a Mac). Nothing is uploaded.
For a good read: the code fills at least half the width, sharp, without glare. Very thin or bent bars may not read. Retail codes, shipping labels, books, QR codes, Data Matrix and PDF417 are all supported.
What it does
This tool finds barcodes in a photo or screenshot and reads the numbers and text inside. Use it to look up a product number without a scanner, to copy a parcel tracking number, or to test that a barcode you made actually scans. Several codes in one picture are all found, numbered and outlined on the image, and 2D codes such as QR Code and Data Matrix are read too.
How to use
- Drop a photo with a barcode or click Choose photo. Paste screenshots with Ctrl+V.
- The first time, the reader (about 1 MB) is downloaded from this site. After that it reads right away.
- Each code appears with its type and content and a number. Use Copy to copy the content.
- Match the numbers on the picture to see which code is which.
How it works
- Engine: zxing-wasm, the open-source zxing-cpp library (Apache-2.0) built for WebAssembly. The file is served from this site, not a public CDN.
- Thorough search: try-harder, 90° rotation, inverted codes (light bars on dark) and downscaled passes are all on; up to 20 codes per image.
- Image preparation: pictures with a long edge over 4000 px are scaled down, transparent areas become white, and the photo’s EXIF orientation is applied.
- Check digits: for EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A and ITF-14 the GS1 check digit is recalculated and shown.
- Prefixes: 880 is GS1 Korea, 978/979 a book (ISBN), 977 a serial (ISSN).
- Order: top to bottom, left to right within a row; identical codes are listed once.
Examples
| Picture | Result |
|---|---|
| Back of a snack packet | EAN-13 4006381333931 · check digit OK |
| Screenshot of a shipping label | Code 128 tracking number and the QR code content |
| Back cover of a book | A 13-digit ISBN starting with 978 |
To make a barcode, use the barcode generator; for QR codes only, the QR code reader works too.
FAQ
Which barcodes can it read?
Retail codes (EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E), ISBN, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, ITF and ITF-14, GS1 DataBar, plus 2D codes such as QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417 and Aztec.
It says no barcode was found.
Take the photo closer so the code fills at least half the width, and check focus, shake and glare. On a busy background, crop the picture around the code. Bent or badly worn bars may not read.
Can I use my phone camera?
On a phone, the choose-photo button usually offers to take a picture. The photo is read on the device and never sent anywhere.
Does it show product details?
It shows the number stored in the code. Search for the number on a shopping site to find the product.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The reader is downloaded once from this site and runs in your browser.
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