Loading...
Create
Enhance
Research
Create
Enhance
Research
Create
Enhance
Research
Create
Enhance
Research
Scan QR codes with your device camera or upload JPG, PNG, WebP images. Works on desktop and mobile browsers.
All scanning happens in your browser. No images, camera feeds, or decoded content are ever uploaded to any server.
Auto-detects URLs, WiFi, email, phone, SMS, vCard & text. One-click actions: open links, call, email, copy.
A QR code scanner is a tool that reads Quick Response (QR) codes — two-dimensional barcodes that store data in a grid of black and white squares — and decodes their content into readable text, URLs, WiFi credentials, or contact information. Filator's free QR code scanner online works directly in your browser using your device camera or from uploaded images. No app download, no signup, no limits.
All QR code reading happens 100% client-side using the html5-qrcode JavaScript library. Your camera feed, uploaded images, and decoded content never leave your device — making this one of the most private QR code readers available online. The scanner auto-detects 7 content types (URLs, email, phone, SMS, WiFi, vCard, text) and provides context-specific actions like opening links, making calls, or sending emails.
Scanning a QR code takes seconds. Choose your method:
You can scan a QR code from any image file — screenshots, photos, downloaded images, or cropped sections of documents. This is particularly useful when:
Supported image formats: JPG, PNG, and WebP. For best results, ensure the QR code is clearly visible, not blurry, and occupies a reasonable portion of the image. Cropping the image to focus on the QR code can improve detection accuracy.
Scanning QR codes on a laptop or desktop computer doesn't require a phone. There are two approaches using Filator's online QR code scanner:
If your laptop has a built-in webcam (most do), select "Use Camera" and hold the QR code in front of your screen. This works best with printed QR codes, QR codes on product packaging, or QR codes displayed on another device.
If the QR code is on your screen (in an email, website, or document), take a screenshot, then use "Upload Image" to scan it. On Windows, press Win + Shift + S to capture. On Mac, press Cmd + Shift + 4.
No app or extension needed. Unlike Windows Camera app (which requires Windows 11) or Chrome extensions (which can access your browsing data), Filator's scanner runs entirely in your browser tab with zero installation. It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS.
WiFi QR codes encode network connection details in a standardized format: WIFI:S:NetworkName;T:WPA;P:Password;;. When you scan a WiFi QR code with Filator, the scanner automatically parses and displays:
This is especially useful for hotels, cafes, coworking spaces, and Airbnbs that display WiFi QR codes instead of writing passwords on cards. Scan the code, copy the password, and paste it into your device's WiFi settings. Most competitors show the raw WiFi string — Filator parses it into clearly labeled fields. Need to create a WiFi QR code? Use our QR code generator with the WiFi type selected.
Our QR code reader automatically identifies the content type encoded in any QR code and provides the appropriate action. Here's what each type does:
| Content Type | Detected Pattern | Quick Action | Example Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| URL | http://, https://, www. | Open Link + Copy | Website links, product pages, menus |
| mailto: or email format | Send Email + Copy | Business cards, contact points | |
| Phone | tel: or phone format | Call + Copy | Customer service, business contacts |
| SMS | sms: or smsto: | Copy | Text-to-subscribe, two-factor auth |
| WiFi | WIFI:S:...;T:...;P:...;; | Shows SSID + Password + Copy | Hotels, cafes, coworking spaces |
| vCard | BEGIN:VCARD | Copy | Digital business cards, contact sharing |
| Plain Text | Any other content | Copy | Serial numbers, codes, messages |
QR codes and barcodes are both machine-readable codes, but they work differently and serve different purposes:
| Feature | QR Code (2D) | Barcode (1D) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Capacity | Up to 4,296 characters | Up to 80 characters |
| Data Types | URLs, WiFi, contacts, text, and more | Numbers and limited characters |
| Reading | Camera or image (any smartphone) | Laser scanner or camera |
| Error Correction | Yes — readable even if partially damaged | No — full code required |
| Common Use | Marketing, menus, WiFi, payments | Product IDs, inventory, shipping |
This tool scans QR codes only (2D). If you need to work with barcodes, use our barcode generator to create Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, and 6 other barcode formats. Need to create QR codes instead of scanning them? Try our free QR code generator with 12 types, custom logos, and colors.
Scan table QR codes to view digital menus without installing a restaurant's app. Works on any smartphone browser — just point your camera and tap the link.
Hotels, Airbnbs, and offices share WiFi via QR code. Scan to see the network name and password without typing long passwords manually. Filator shows all WiFi details in a clean, formatted view.
Verify QR codes on concert tickets, boarding passes, or event wristbands. View the encoded data to confirm authenticity before an event.
vCard QR codes contain full contact details — name, phone, email, company, address. Scan to extract the information without manual typing.
Scan QR codes on product packaging to access manuals, warranty registration, ingredient lists, or manufacturer websites.
Decode payment QR codes (PayPal, Venmo, crypto wallet addresses) to verify the destination before sending money. Always verify URLs before transacting.
QR codes themselves are not dangerous — they're just data encoded in a visual format. However, the content they link to can be malicious. Here's how to stay safe:
Privacy advantage: Because Filator's scanner runs 100% client-side, your scanned data is never sent to any server. Some other online scanners upload your images to their servers for processing — ours doesn't. Your camera feed and decoded content stay entirely on your device.
This scanner reads QR codes only — it does not scan 1D barcodes (Code 128, EAN-13, UPC-A, etc.). For barcode creation, use our barcode generator. The tool scans one QR code at a time — batch scanning is not supported. Scanned results are not saved between sessions; download or copy results before leaving the page.
Open Filator's QR code scanner in any web browser. Select "Use Camera" and click "Start Scanning" to scan with your device camera, or select "Upload Image" and drag-drop a JPG, PNG, or WebP file containing the QR code. No app installation, no signup, no download required.
Yes. Take a screenshot of the QR code, then use the "Upload Image" option to upload it. The scanner reads QR codes from any JPG, PNG, or WebP image — including screenshots, photos, and downloaded pictures. Crop the image to focus on the QR code for best results.
Two options: (1) If the QR code is physical (printed, on a product), use your laptop's built-in webcam with the camera scanning mode. (2) If the QR code is on your screen, take a screenshot (Win + Shift + S on Windows, Cmd + Shift + 4 on Mac) and upload it. No phone needed.
Yes, 100% free with no limits. Scan unlimited QR codes using camera or image upload — no signup, no email, no account needed. There are no watermarks, daily caps, or hidden paywalls. All 7 content types and smart actions are included at no cost.
Completely. All scanning happens in your browser using JavaScript (html5-qrcode library). Your camera feed is never recorded or uploaded. Your images are never sent to any server. The decoded content stays entirely on your device. We cannot see what you scan.
The scanner reads all standard QR code formats and automatically detects 7 content types: URLs (web links), email addresses, phone numbers, SMS messages, WiFi network credentials (with SSID and password), vCard contacts, and plain text. Each type gets a color-coded badge and relevant quick actions.
Yes. It works on all modern mobile browsers — Safari on iOS, Chrome on Android, Firefox, Samsung Internet, and others. Both camera scanning and image upload work on mobile. No app installation needed — just open the page in your browser.
Scan the WiFi QR code using camera or image upload. The scanner automatically detects it as a WiFi type and displays the network name (SSID), security type (WPA/WPA2/WPA3), password, and whether the network is hidden. Copy the password and enter it in your device's WiFi settings to connect.
Your browser needs permission to access the camera. When prompted, click "Allow." If you previously denied access, go to your browser's site settings and enable camera permission for filator.com. On iOS Safari, go to Settings → Safari → Camera → Allow. If camera issues persist, use the image upload method instead.
Ensure adequate lighting, hold steady, and keep the QR code flat and within the scanning frame. For image uploads, use high-resolution images and crop to focus on the QR code. Try the other scanning method (camera vs upload). Severely damaged or very small QR codes may not be readable by any scanner.
No, this tool is optimized for QR codes (2D codes) only. It does not read 1D barcodes like Code 128, EAN-13, or UPC-A. For barcodes, use our barcode generator to create barcode images.
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that stores data in a matrix of black and white squares. Invented in 1994 by Denso Wave (a Toyota subsidiary) for tracking automotive parts, QR codes can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters. They are read by cameras and are widely used for URLs, payments, WiFi sharing, and contact exchange.
Point your camera at a QR code to scan it instantly
Get access to all AI tools — code generation, content writing, image creation, and more.