Choose a source
Open a QR image or allow access to your device camera.
QR Code Scanner — Scan from Image or Camera
Scan a QR code from an image file or your live camera and read the result instantly. No photo or video is ever uploaded from your device.
Work in your browser
Local and privateHow to use QR Code Scanner — Scan from Image or Camera
Three simple steps, with your content kept on your device.
Scan locally
The browser inspects image pixels without sending them away.
Copy or open
Copy the decoded text or open a detected web link.
Built for useful work
Fast, focused, and made to be clear on every screen.
Image and camera scanning
Read saved QR images or scan a live code.
Useful result actions
Copy any decoded value and open safe HTTP links.
Private camera access
Video frames are processed locally and are never uploaded.
What is a QR code scanner?
A QR code scanner reads the black-and-white squares of a QR code and converts them back into the text, link, or data they encode. Instead of typing a long URL by hand, you point a qr scanner at the code and the content appears instantly.
QR codes are read by decoding the pattern of modules — the individual black squares — into binary data that is then turned into readable text. Modern scanners do this in milliseconds, whether the code comes from a screen, a printed label, or a product package.
How to scan a QR code online
To scan a QR code online, you can either use your device camera or load an image of the code. On this page, upload a QR image from your computer or phone, or allow camera access to scan a code directly in front of you.
The scan runs entirely in your browser: the image or camera frame is decoded locally and the result appears on the page. If the code contains a URL, you can open it safely; otherwise the decoded text is copied straight to your clipboard.
QR code scanner vs QR code generator
A QR code generator creates codes from content you provide, while a scanner does the opposite: it reads existing codes and reveals their content. Valestiom offers both — generate a code with the QR Code Generator, then check it with this scanner to confirm it reads correctly.
The two tools are complementary. You might generate a code for a link or Wi-Fi network, print it, and later use the scanner on your phone to test it. Testing what you generate is the fastest way to catch data errors before the code reaches an audience.
Scanning with your camera and privacy
When you scan with the camera, the video frames are analyzed on your device. Nothing is uploaded to a server, and Valestiom does not store or log what you scan — camera access simply gives the page a local stream to inspect.
Camera access requires HTTPS or localhost and your explicit browser permission. If the camera button is unavailable, image scanning still works: save a photo of the code and load it as a file.
What can be stored in a QR code
QR codes commonly store URLs, plain text, phone numbers, email addresses, and Wi-Fi credentials. A scanner that decodes these can show the raw text or offer smart actions such as opening a link or copying contact details.
The amount of data a code can hold depends on its size and error-correction level. Small amounts of text fit comfortably; very large payloads produce denser codes that need a higher-resolution scan.
Why a QR code may not scan
A QR code fails to scan when it is damaged, blurred, too small, or printed with low contrast. Damaged areas can sometimes still be read because of error correction, which reconstructs missing modules up to a point.
If a code will not scan, try better lighting, a sharper image, or a higher-resolution photo. For codes that must survive wear, choose a generator with a higher error-correction level when creating them.
QR codes in everyday life
QR codes appear on menus, tickets, product packaging, business cards, and payment terminals. They turn a quick camera glance into a link, a contact, or a boarding pass without typing anything.
A fast, private scanner makes this workflow smoother: you can read any code you encounter, verify links before opening them, and keep the decoded data for yourself without sending it anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Do camera images leave my device?
No. Camera frames are read in the browser and are not uploaded or stored by Valestiom.
Why is the camera button unavailable?
Live camera access generally requires HTTPS or localhost, browser permission, and a device with a camera. Image scanning still works without camera access.
Which QR codes can be scanned?
The scanner reads standard QR codes containing URLs, text, contact data, Wi-Fi strings, and other encoded text.