Scan barcodes and 2D codes without installing an app. Point your phone or laptop camera at a code, or drop in a photo or screenshot. Every result is listed in a history you can copy or export as a CSV spreadsheet, and nothing leaves your device.
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Point your camera at a barcode or QR code. Scanning happens on your device.
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How to use the Barcode Scanner
Choose a source: stay on Scan an image to use a photo or screenshot, or switch to Use camera.
Scan: drop or choose the image, or click Start camera, allow access and hold the code inside the frame, 10-25 cm from the lens.
Read the result: the format, the decoded content and checks such as a valid check digit appear below. Links are shown, never opened automatically.
Keep scanning: the camera stays on, so you can scan a whole shelf of items in a row. Each new code is added to the history.
Export: click Download CSV to save the list with date, time, format and content, or Copy all to paste the codes elsewhere.
Barcode formats at a glance
Format
Type
Holds
Where you see it
UPC-A / UPC-E
1D
12 digits (UPC-E: compressed 8)
Retail products in the US and Canada
EAN-13 / EAN-8
1D
13 or 8 digits
Retail products worldwide; books (ISBN starts with 978 or 979)
The last digit of every EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A code is calculated from the others, so a scanner can tell when a bar was misread. Starting from the digit next to the check digit and moving left, multiply the digits alternately by 3 and 1, add the results, and take the amount needed to reach the next multiple of 10.
Example for 4006381333931: from the right, 3·3 + 9·1 + 3·3 + 3·1 + 3·3 + 1·1 + 8·3 + 3·1 + 6·3 + 0·1 + 0·3 + 4·1 = 89. The next multiple of 10 is 90, so the check digit is 90 − 89 = 1. This scanner only reports EAN and UPC codes whose check digit is correct.
Tips for fast, reliable scans
Light and focus: scan in even light, avoid glare from shiny wrappers, and let the camera focus for a moment before moving.
Distance: small codes need the camera closer; if the image blurs, back off a little. Many laptop webcams cannot focus closer than about 30 cm, so hold small codes up to a phone camera instead.
Quiet zone: 1D barcodes need blank space on both sides. If a sticker or fold covers that margin, the code may not read.
Inventory runs: leave the camera on and scan items one after another. Repeated scans of the same code within 3 seconds are ignored; download the CSV when you are done.
Only need QR codes, with safety checks for links and Wi-Fi details? Use the QR Code Scanner. To make your own barcodes, try the Barcode Generator.
Frequently asked questions
Which barcode types can it read?
Common 1D barcodes (UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, EAN-8, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, ITF, GS1 DataBar) and 2D codes (QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec). Most browsers use the open-source ZXing engine compiled to WebAssembly; browsers with a built-in barcode detector use that first. EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A can also be read by a small built-in reader even when the engine cannot be loaded.
Can I scan a barcode from a picture instead of the camera?
Yes. Choose or drop a JPG, PNG or WEBP image, or paste a screenshot with Ctrl+V. The tool finds every code in the picture and outlines it. Use the full-resolution photo: small or blurry codes may not be readable.
Why does the camera not find my barcode?
Hold the code flat, fill about half the frame with it and keep it 10-25 cm away so the camera can focus. Avoid glare on shiny packaging, tilt slightly if there is a reflection, and use the flashlight in dim light. Long, thin barcodes read best when held horizontally.
Does it look up product names or prices?
No. The scanner reads the number or text stored in the code. A retail barcode (UPC or EAN) only contains a product number; names and prices live in each store's database, so no lookup is done and nothing is sent anywhere.
How do I export my scans to Excel?
Click Download CSV. The file has one row per scan with date, time, format, content and source, and opens directly in Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers. Codes are stored as text so leading zeros are kept when the file is opened as text.
Is the camera image or scan history uploaded?
No. Video frames and images are decoded on your device. The history is stored only in this browser's local storage until you clear it.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
UPC-A has 12 digits and is used mainly in the US and Canada; EAN-13 has 13 digits and is used worldwide. A UPC-A code is an EAN-13 with a leading 0, so scanners treat them as the same number. Both end with a check digit that catches most misreads.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.