Free QR code tools and barcode readers
Read any QR code or barcode right here: drop a photo or screenshot, paste it, or use your camera. Get WiFi passwords, check links before you open them, rescue blurry and damaged codes, and make codes that never expire. Everything runs in your browser.
Drop a QR code or barcode imageTake a photo or pick a screenshot
Photos, screenshots, PNG, JPG and WebP. Read on your device, never uploaded.
Could not read this one. These tools run extra passes on hard images. Your image stays on your device, so choose it again there.
QR Code and Barcode Tools, Grouped by Job
Pick what you need to do, not a file format
Most people arrive with one problem: a code to read, a code that will not scan, or a code to make. Each tool below does one of those jobs well, and every one runs in your browser with no account. The generators make static codes, so nothing expires and there is no monthly plan.
Need to change the link after printing, or count scans? That needs a dynamic code, which usually means a monthly plan. Compare dynamic QR code prices, or start free for 3 months with TrackFlyer, our sister service.
Read and decode
Get what is inside a code
- Scan QR Without a CameraA QR code reader from image files: upload, paste or drop.
- WiFi QR DecoderNetwork name, password and security from a WiFi code.
- Safe QR Code ScannerSee the real link and warning signs before you open it.
- eSIM QR Code ReaderThe SM-DP+ address and activation code, for manual setup.
- Barcode Scanner OnlineRead UPC, EAN and Code 128 from a photo or the camera.
- Aztec Code ReaderBoarding passes, tickets and other Aztec codes.
Fix a code that will not scan
When a normal scanner gives up
- Blurry QR Code ReaderNine processing passes for soft, faded or shaky photos.
- QR Code RepairRebuilds torn, scratched or partly covered codes.
- Inverted QR CodesRead or make light-on-dark codes that many apps miss.
- QR Code Not ScanningThe fixes that work, in the order to try them.
- No Valid QR Code DetectedWhat the error means and how to get past it.
- WiFi QR Code Not WorkingThe code scans but the phone will not join.
Make QR codes
Static codes that never expire
- QR Code GeneratorLinks, text, email and phone, as PNG or SVG.
- WiFi QR Code GeneratorPrintable guest WiFi cards for homes, rentals and cafes.
- vCard QR Code GeneratorA business card that saves straight to contacts.
- QR Code with LogoYour logo in the middle, tested to still scan.
- PDF to QR CodeShare a menu or brochure with a code that lasts.
- Bulk QR Codes from ExcelHundreds of codes from one spreadsheet.
- Transparent QR CodePNG and SVG with no background, ready for print.
- Photo QR CodeA scannable code drawn over your own picture.
Barcodes and 2D codes
Retail, stock and shipping labels
- Barcode GeneratorCode 128, EAN-13, UPC-A and Code 39 in one tool.
- UPC Code Generator12-digit UPC-A with the check digit worked out.
- EAN-13 Barcode Generator13-digit international retail barcodes.
- EAN-13 Check Digit CalculatorCheck or complete a 13-digit product number.
- Garment Barcode GeneratorCode 128 SKU labels for clothing tags.
- Data Matrix GeneratorSmall square codes for parts and healthcare labels.
- PDF417 GeneratorThe stacked code used on IDs and shipping labels.
- Barcode Country CodesWhat the first digits of a barcode really mean.
- Do I Need GS1 Barcodes?When GS1 numbers are required and when they are not.
What the Reader Shows for Each Kind of QR Code
The raw text, turned into something you can use
A QR code only holds text. Phones decide what to do with it by looking at how that text starts. The reader above does the same, then lays the result out in plain fields with copy buttons, so you never have to pick a password out of a string of semicolons.
| Code type | The text inside starts with | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Website link | https:// | The full link before anything opens, a button to check it with the Safe QR Code Scanner, and a button to open it. |
| WiFi network | WIFI:T:WPA;S:...;P:...;; | Network name, password and security type, each with a copy button, plus a way to print the same network as a guest WiFi card. The format is explained in the WiFi QR format guide. |
| Contact card | BEGIN:VCARD or MECARD: | Name, phone, email, company and website as separate fields. |
| Phone number | tel: | The number and a Call button. |
| Text message | SMSTO: or sms: | The number and the message that would be sent, so you can read it before sending anything. |
mailto: or MATMSG: | Address, subject and body. | |
| Map location | geo: | Latitude and longitude, and a link to open the place in a map. |
| eSIM activation | LPA:1$ | The SM-DP+ address and activation code you type in when a phone cannot scan its own screen. The eSIM QR Code Reader walks through manual setup. |
| Calendar event | BEGIN:VEVENT | Title, start, end and place. |
| Plain text | Anything else | The text exactly as stored, with a copy button. |
Why a QR Code Will Not Scan, and Which Tool Fixes It
Match the sign you see to the fix
When a scanner gives up it rarely says why. These are the causes we see most in the images people bring to our rescue tools, with the sign that gives each one away. Start at the top: blur alone explains most failed scans.
| Cause | How you can tell | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Blurred photo | The square edges look soft. Moving the phone closer made it worse. | Step back 20 to 30 cm: most phones cannot focus closer than about 10 cm. Then try the Blurry QR Code Reader. |
| Damaged code | A torn corner, a scratch, a sticker or a fold across the squares. | QR Code Repair rebuilds what error correction cannot. Read about error correction levels. |
| Inverted colors | Light squares on a dark background. | The reader above tries both ways. Many phone apps do not, so see inverted QR codes. |
| Transparent background | A PNG code that vanishes on a dark screen or page. | The reader above puts it on a solid backdrop. To make one that prints well, use the transparent QR generator. |
| Printed too small | It scans from close up but not from where people stand. | Use the QR code size chart: size grows with scanning distance. |
| Logo too large | A center logo covers more than a few rows of squares. | See why logo QR codes fail, then remake it with the logo generator. |
| It scans but the WiFi will not join | The phone reads the code, then fails to connect. | A wrong password or security type is inside the code. Read it above, then follow the WiFi QR fixes. |
| It scans but the page is gone | The link opens an error or a "code expired" page. | The code was dynamic and its plan ended. See QR code expired. |
QR Codes, Barcodes and 2D Codes This Page Can Read
One reader, two decoders
The reader first looks for a QR code, trying the image at several sizes and with dark and light swapped. If that finds nothing, a second decoder looks for the barcode and 2D formats below. For EAN and UPC barcodes, the result also says whether the last digit is a valid check digit, which catches most misprints.
- QR CodeEvery version and error correction level, normal or inverted.
- EAN-13 and EAN-8Retail barcodes used outside North America, with a check digit test.
- UPC-A and UPC-ENorth American retail barcodes, with a check digit test.
- Code 128, Code 39, Code 93Shipping, stock and SKU labels.
- ITF and CodabarCartons, libraries and older logistics labels.
- Data MatrixTiny square codes on parts, medicine and electronics.
- AztecBoarding passes and transport tickets.
- PDF417Driver licenses, IDs and shipping labels.
- Micro QR and rMQRRead by the Blurry QR Code Reader, which has a decoder for these small formats.
How to Scan a QR Code on Any Device
Including codes that are on your own screen
iPhone and iPad
Point the Camera app at the code and tap the yellow link. For a code in a photo or screenshot, open it in Photos and press and hold the code, or open this page in Safari and choose the image with Choose image.
Android
Most camera apps read QR codes, or use Google Lens. For a screenshot, open this page and tap Choose image, then pick it from your gallery. The result stays on your phone.
Windows PC or laptop
Press Win+Shift+S, drag over the code, then click Paste on the reader above. No webcam needed. The full method is in scan a QR code on a laptop.
Mac
Press Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+4, drag over the code to copy it, then click Paste above. Or drag a saved image onto the drop area.
Chromebook
Take a partial screenshot, which ChromeOS also copies to the clipboard, then click Paste above. See scan a QR code on a Chromebook.
Before you open a link
A QR code cannot infect a phone by itself, but the link inside can lead to a fake login page. Read is it safe to scan a QR code and check unknown links with the Safe QR Code Scanner.
Guides
Step by step fixes for QR codes and barcodes
Short, tested answers to the problems people search for: a WiFi QR code that will not connect, a menu QR code that has to last, or a barcode a store rejects. Each guide links to the tool that fixes it.
"Invalid QR Code! Please Wait for WiFi to Connect"
What the error means and how to fix it.
WiFi Password from a QR Code
See the password a WiFi code holds, on any phone.
QR Code Size Chart
The smallest size that scans at each distance.
QR Code Menus for Restaurant Tables
Print sizes, lamination and updates without reprinting.
Static vs Dynamic QR Codes
Which one never expires, and when you need the other.
QR Code vs NFC Tag
Cost, range, durability and which to choose.
UPC vs EAN-13
12 digits vs 13 and which one your store needs.
How to Make Barcodes for Products
Size, quiet zone and print checks.
Install Toolsque and Use It Offline
Your most used tools, even with no signal
Toolsque installs like an app on your phone, tablet or computer, with no app store and no download size to worry about. Once installed, the 5 tools below open and work with no internet connection, which helps in basements, warehouses and on flights. Tools not on this list still open when you are online. Tap "Install App" in the header, or use "Add to Home Screen" on iPhone.
Works offline (cached by service worker):
How to install in 3 steps:
- Android & Desktop (Chrome / Edge): Tap "Install App" in the header or the install icon in the address bar.
- iPhone & iPad (Safari): Tap Share, then "Add to Home Screen".
- One-time sync: Open each tool once while online, so it is saved for offline use.
How Toolsque Is Built
Your scan never leaves your device
Frequently Asked Questions
Scanning, privacy, barcodes and offline use
Are Toolsque tools free?
Yes. Every QR tool, code reader and barcode generator is free, with no account, no email and no usage limit. The site is supported by ads.
Is what I scan or type private?
Yes. The reader on this page decodes the image inside your browser, so the picture, the WiFi password or the link in it is never uploaded to our server. The site uses standard analytics and ads, as described in the privacy policy.
Can you scan a QR code from a screenshot?
Yes. Drop the screenshot on the reader at the top of this page, choose it with Choose image, or copy it and press Paste. On Windows, Win+Shift+S copies a screen area straight to the clipboard, and on a Mac, Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+4 does the same.
How do I see the WiFi password in a QR code?
Scan the WiFi QR code with the reader above. It shows the network name, the password and the security type, each with a copy button. The WiFi QR Decoder page does the same and explains every field of the WIFI: format.
How do I scan a QR code on a laptop without a camera?
Save or screenshot the QR code, then drop it on the reader above or paste it. No webcam is needed, and it works the same on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.
Is it safe to scan a QR code?
The code itself cannot harm your phone, but the link inside it can lead to a fake login page. The reader shows the full link before anything opens, and the Safe QR Code Scanner checks it for the warning signs used in QR phishing.
Can this page read barcodes too?
Yes. If no QR code is found, a second decoder looks for EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, ITF, Codabar, Data Matrix, Aztec and PDF417. For EAN and UPC it also checks the check digit.
Why does it say no QR code found?
Usually the photo is blurred, the code is damaged, or the code is too small in the picture. Step back 20 to 30 cm so your phone can focus, crop closer to the code, or try the Blurry QR Code Reader and QR Code Repair, which run extra passes on hard images.
Do the QR codes I make here expire?
No. Toolsque makes static QR codes, so the link or data is stored inside the code itself. They keep working as long as the printed code is readable and the page it links to still exists.
Can I use the barcodes on products I sell?
For your own stock, shelves and internal labels, yes. To sell through Amazon, Walmart or most large retailers, you need UPC or EAN numbers licensed from GS1. The generator draws a correct barcode, but it cannot give you a registered number.
Do the tools work offline?
Yes, after you install Toolsque as an app. 5 core tools, including the WiFi QR decoder, the WiFi QR generator and the UPC generator, work with no internet connection once you have opened them online once.
Can I suggest a new tool?
Yes. Describe the code or the problem you are trying to solve through the contact page, and we will look at adding it.