How to use QR Code Reader
Decode QR codes using your device camera in real time — point, scan, and the content is displayed instantly in your browser. No app installation required. Works on iPhone, Android, and desktop computers with a webcam. Alternatively, upload an image file to decode a QR code without camera access.
- Click "Start Camera" to activate your device camera (permission required).
- Point the camera at the QR code — hold steady until the code is detected.
- The decoded content (URL, text, contact, Wi-Fi) appears automatically.
- Click links to visit URLs, or copy the text to your clipboard.
- Alternatively, use "Upload Image" to decode a QR code from a saved image.
Your data never leaves your device — 100% private processing.
Camera-based vs. image-upload decoding
Camera-based decoding uses the device's native camera stream (via the browser MediaDevices API) to scan codes in real time — no image is saved or uploaded at any point. Image-upload decoding uses a static file processed entirely in the browser. Camera mode is faster for live scanning scenarios; upload mode is better for decoding QR codes from screenshots, PDFs, presentations, or email attachments that cannot be physically scanned.
Supported content types
This decoder handles all standard QR content types: plain URLs (opens in browser), WIFI: credentials (shows network name and password), BEGIN:VCARD contacts (shows contact details for saving), MAILTO: email addresses, TEL: phone numbers, SMS: messages, GEO: coordinates (links to maps), MECARD contacts, and plain text. Structured content types are parsed and displayed with appropriate actions (Open, Save Contact, Copy, Call).
| QR content | Example data | Action shown |
|---|---|---|
| URL | https://example.com | Open / Copy link |
| Wi-Fi | WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNet;P:pass;; | Show SSID + password |
| vCard contact | BEGIN:VCARD…END:VCARD | Save to contacts |
| MAILTO:hello@example.com | Compose email | |
| Phone | TEL:+15550100 | Initiate call |
| SMS | SMS:+15550100 | Compose message |
| Location | GEO:37.786,-122.4 | Open in maps |
| Plain text | Hello world | Display + copy |
Worked examples
Live camera scan
Inputs: point the camera at a code
Result: live decode → Open URL / Save Contact / Show Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi credential
Inputs: scan a printed Wi-Fi QR
Result: parses SSID + password and offers a join action
Glossary
- MediaDevices API
- A web browser API that provides access to the device camera and microphone for real-time media capture.
- MECARD
- A compact QR contact format developed for Japanese phones, equivalent to a minimal vCard but with a different syntax.
- GEO URI
- A QR-encoded geographic coordinate string (geo:lat,lon) that opens in the device's maps application.
- Real-time decoding
- Continuous frame-by-frame QR scanning from a camera stream without saving images.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use QR Code Reader?
- Scans QR codes live from the device camera via the browser MediaDevices API — no app install needed
- Parses decoded payloads into structured actions: Open URL, Save Contact, or reveal Wi-Fi credentials
- Switches between live camera mode and static image upload without reloading the page
- Handles WIFI, vCard, MECARD, GEO, MAILTO, TEL, and SMS payloads with context-aware display
Common use cases
- Scan a QR code on a product box with your laptop webcam to pull up the linked specification sheet
- Connect to a venue Wi-Fi by scanning the QR displayed on a screen from across the room
- Scan a vCard QR on someone's phone screen to save their contact without exchanging devices
- Read a GEO QR code on a trail marker to open the coordinates directly in your maps application
- Check that a QR code on a printed event poster opens the correct URL before the event goes live
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