QR TOOLS
QR Code Decoder
Read QR code images privately in your browser — no upload required.
LOCAL IMAGE DECODER
Decode a QR code image
The selected image is decoded locally and is not stored or transmitted.
QR code decoder guide
Found a QR code in a screenshot, a photo, or a downloaded image — and need to know where it leads? This decoder reads QR codes straight from image files, entirely in your browser. No upload, no third party, no server: the image never leaves your device.
Pick an image, and the tool returns the encoded URL or text — with a one-click option to open links safely.
How decoding works
The tool draws your image onto a canvas and uses jsQR — a JavaScript QR decoder — to find the three finder squares, sample the module grid, and extract the encoded data. It handles rotation, perspective distortion, and moderate damage via the error-correction built into every QR code.
Because everything runs locally, this is the privacy-safe way to inspect a code you are not sure about: you can see where it points before deciding whether to open it.
Getting a clean read
- Crop tightly — the decoder works best when the code fills most of the image.
- Avoid glare and shadows — photos of screens or glossy surfaces can corrupt the pattern.
- Prefer screenshots over photos — a straight-on screenshot of a code decodes almost every time.
- High resolution helps — small, blurry codes may fail; re-shoot or zoom before exporting.
QR code security
A QR code is just text — it can encode a link to a phishing page, a malicious download, or a WiFi password for a rogue network. Decoding first (as this tool lets you do) turns an unknown code into a readable URL you can inspect before trusting it.
When generating codes for your own use, double-check the encoded text too — a typo in a URL can send your customers somewhere they should not go.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a QR code from an image?
Click the drop zone and choose the image. The code is read locally and the content appears instantly.
Is my image uploaded anywhere?
No — decoding runs entirely in your browser with jsQR. The image never leaves your device.
Why can it not read my code?
Common causes: the code is small or blurry, cropped too loosely, glares on a photo, or heavily damaged. Crop tightly and prefer screenshots.
Can it decode damaged QR codes?
Often yes — QR codes carry error correction (typically 15–30%). Minor damage, rotation, and perspective distortion are handled.
Is it safe to scan unknown QR codes?
Decode them first with a tool like this to see the URL before opening. QR-based phishing is increasingly common.
Privacy note: QR decoding happens in your browser. Your image is not stored or uploaded.