Scan a QR code
Read QR codes with your camera, from a screenshot or a PDF – and see where a link really goes before you open it.
- Stays on your device
- No limits
- No watermark
- No account
How can I check that nothing is uploaded?
Your files are processed in this browser tab. This page has no function that sends files to a server, and its security rules (Content Security Policy) forbid connections to other servers.
Check it yourself: load this page, then switch on flight mode or disconnect Wi-Fi and run the tool. It still works – because everything happens on your device.
Good to know
How it works – step by step
Start the camera or choose an image
Tap “Start camera” and allow access – or choose a photo, screenshot or PDF with the code. Dragging a file in or pasting with Ctrl+V works too.
Hold the code in view
Keep the code steady in the frame. The light helps in the dark, zoom helps with small codes. A short beep tells you the code was read.
Check and decide
You see what the code contains: a link with its real destination and warning signs, Wi-Fi access, a contact, an event or a bank transfer. Nothing opens, copies or saves until you tap.
Why FaLe?
Protection from QR scams
Links never open automatically. You see the real domain and warning signs such as short links, look-alike letters, disguised addresses or app downloads.
Understands the content
Wi-Fi password to copy, contact as a file, event for your calendar, payment code with a checked IBAN – instead of cryptic text.
No app, no ads
Runs in your browser, even offline after the first visit. Nothing is uploaded; the history stays on your device and can be cleared at any time.
Also from images and PDFs
Codes on invoices, in screenshots or scanned letters are read straight from the file – handy when the code is shown on the same phone.
| FaLe Tools | Typical online tools | |
|---|---|---|
| Where are files processed? | In your browser, on your device | Usually on the provider’s server – the file is uploaded |
| Account needed? | No | Often for larger files or more runs |
| Limits | No artificial limits | Often daily limits or size caps in the free version |
| Watermark | Never | With some providers in the free version |
| Works offline | Yes, after the first visit | No |
| Ads and tracking | None | Often banner ads and analytics services |
Frequently asked questions
Can I scan a QR code without an app?
Yes. This page uses the camera right in your browser. If your browser doesn’t allow camera access, take a photo of the code or choose an image – the result is the same.
How do I recognise a dangerous QR code?
Look at the domain right before the ending, such as “example.com”. Warning signs are short links, unusual endings, letters from other alphabets, an “@” in the address and links that download an app. This page shows you all of that before opening – it is still no guarantee.
What is quishing?
Quishing is fraud with QR codes: fake codes on parking meters, chargers, posters or in letters lead to imitation sites that steal logins or payments. So always check the destination and look out for codes stuck over the real ones.
Are my scans stored or sent anywhere?
Nothing is sent: the camera picture and files are analysed on your device only. The history lives in this browser only and can be switched off and cleared. Two-factor keys are never stored.
Can I read a QR code from a screenshot or a PDF?
Yes. Choose the image or PDF, drag the file onto the page or paste a screenshot with Ctrl+V. In PDFs every page is searched – several codes on one page, too.
Which codes are recognised?
QR codes always, also rotated, at an angle or light on dark. If your browser has a built-in barcode reader, the page also reads barcodes such as EAN and Code 128 as well as Data Matrix codes.
Related tools
QR code generator
QR codes for links, Wi-Fi, contacts and more – as PNG, SVG or PDF.Barcode generator
EAN, UPC, Code 128, Code 39 and ITF-14 as PNG, SVG or PDF.Scan business card
Photo of a business card → contact (.vcf), CSV or a QR code for your phone.Read e-invoice
Open, check and save XRechnung and ZUGFeRD as PDF.
More features in the FaLe PDF app
Sign, fill in forms, scan with text recognition and more than 40 other tools – free, no account and offline, too.