Barcode Image Reader
Upload, drop or paste a photo or screenshot and get the format and value of the barcode on it. One-dimensional codes such as EAN-13 and Code 128 are supported, along with Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec and QR. The image is analysed in your browser only.
Drop an image here, paste one with Ctrl+V, or choose a file.
Screenshots and photos work. Crop close to the code for the best results.
Scan result
The decoded content will appear here. Nothing is opened automatically.
Scanning happens on your device. Images and video are not uploaded.
Your data stays on your device.
How does it work?
- 1Add the image: choose a file, drag and drop it on the page or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- 2Wait while the reader looks for a barcode in the picture.
- 3Read the detected format and the decoded value; for GTIN formats the tool also says whether the check digit is valid.
- 4If nothing is found, improve the picture with the tips below and try again.
What is Barcode Image Reader?
The reader uses the ZXing library in your browser. It recognises EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, ITF, Codabar, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec and QR. For a linear barcode it looks for a line across the image where the widths of the bars and spaces can be measured; for 2D codes it locates the finder pattern first.
For product codes in the GTIN family (EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E) the last digit is a check digit. The reader reports whether it matches the other digits, which quickly reveals a misread or a code that was typed incorrectly. A valid check digit only proves the number is well-formed, not that it is assigned to a real product.
When should you use it?
- A supplier sends a photo of a carton label and you need the number as text.
- You want to confirm that a barcode you generated still reads correctly after being exported or printed and photographed.
- A screenshot of a shipping label or a product page contains a barcode you need to copy.
- You are working on a computer without a camera and only have image files.
Tips for an image that reads well
Crop tightly around the barcode but keep the blank margin on both sides of it: the quiet zone tells the reader where the bars begin and end.
Photograph the label flat and square-on, in even light. Glare across the bars and shadows falling over them are the most common causes of a failed read. Curved surfaces such as bottles are harder than flat labels.
Use enough resolution: the narrowest bar should be several pixels wide. A larger original is better than an enlarged thumbnail, because scaling up adds blur instead of detail.
Keep strong contrast, dark bars on a light background, and avoid heavy JPEG compression. Rotate the picture so the bars are close to vertical if the photo was taken at an angle.
Privacy
This tool runs in your browser. What you type, paste or open is processed on your device by JavaScript and is not sent to our servers, stored or shared. Your data stays on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which barcode formats can it read?
EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, ITF, Codabar, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec and QR.
Why is my barcode not detected?
Most often the image is blurred, too small, cropped through the quiet zone or lit unevenly. Retake or rescan it following the tips above. Damaged bars or a low-quality print can also make the code unreadable.
What does an invalid check digit mean?
The last digit does not match the calculation from the other digits. Either the code was misread, or the number printed on the label is wrong. Reading it again from a sharper image usually settles which one.
Is the image uploaded anywhere?
No. The picture is decoded in your browser and is neither sent nor stored.
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