Books
Book barcodes are EAN-13 numbers that start with 978 or 979. The reader shows the ISBN-13 and, for 978 numbers, the matching 10-digit ISBN used on older books and some catalogs.
Free private barcode scanner
Barcode Reader from Image
Upload, drop, paste or scan with your camera. Reads product, book, shipping-label and boarding-pass barcodes, and shows what the numbers mean.
No account. No image upload. Works on phones and laptops.
Last updated: October 2026
How to read a barcode from an image
1
Add the image
Choose a photo, screenshot or PDF, drop files, paste an image or scan with your camera.
2
Let the browser read it
Every barcode and QR code in the image is found and outlined.
3
See what it means
Books show their ISBN, products their GTIN, labels their batch and dates, boarding passes their flight.
4
Copy or export
Copy a result, download it as TXT, or save a whole batch as a CSV file.
Barcode types it reads
All of these are read automatically; you don't need to choose a type first. For QR codes with links, Wi-Fi details or contacts, the QR code reader explains the content and checks links for tricks.
| Barcode | Where you see it | What it holds |
|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 and UPC-A | Retail products; UPC-A mainly in the US and Canada | A 13- or 12-digit product number (GTIN) |
| EAN-8 and UPC-E | Small packages | A shortened product number |
| ISBN (EAN-13 starting 978 or 979) | Books | The book's ISBN |
| Code 128 and GS1-128 | Shipping labels and cartons | Letters and numbers; GS1-128 adds product number, batch, dates and serial |
| Code 39 and Code 93 | Inventory, parts and ID badges | Letters, digits and a few symbols |
| ITF and ITF-14 | Outer cartons | Numbers; ITF-14 holds a carton's product number |
| Data Matrix and GS1 DataMatrix | Small parts, electronics and medicine packs | Text, or GS1 data such as product number, expiry and serial |
| PDF417 | Boarding passes, ID cards and shipping documents | Large amounts of text |
| Aztec | Boarding passes and tickets | Text |
| QR code | Everywhere | Links, Wi-Fi details, contacts and text |
What the numbers mean
Products
EAN and UPC barcodes hold a product number (GTIN), not a name or price. Shops and manufacturers link that number to the product in their own systems, so copy it to look it up with the retailer or a product database.
Shipping and medicine labels
GS1-128 and GS1 DataMatrix codes carry several values in one barcode. The reader splits them into labeled fields: product number, batch or lot, expiry, best-before and production dates, serial number and weights.
Boarding passes
Airline boarding passes follow one industry format. The reader shows the passenger name, booking reference, flight, route, date and seat. They stay on your device; avoid posting photos of boarding passes online.
Need to make one? The barcode generator creates EAN, UPC, ISBN, Code 128, GS1-128, Data Matrix and other barcodes with check digits added, and this reader can check a printed copy.
Scan a barcode on a PC or laptop
- ✓Webcam: choose Scan with camera, allow access and hold the barcode up, straight and close
- ✓Screenshot on Windows: press Windows+Shift+S, select the barcode, then press Ctrl+V here
- ✓Screenshot on a Mac: press Command+Control+Shift+4, select it, then press Command+V here
- ✓PDF or email attachment: save it and choose it here; every PDF page is scanned
Tips for a barcode that will not scan
- ✓Keep blank space on both sides of the bars
- ✓Photograph it straight on, not at an angle
- ✓Get close enough that the thinnest bars are clearly separate
- ✓Avoid glare on shiny packaging and curved surfaces
- ✓Crop around the barcode when it is small in the picture
- ✓Use the original photo rather than a compressed copy
Private barcode scanning
Local processing
Images, PDFs and camera frames are read in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
No lookups
Numbers are explained on your device. Nothing is searched online unless you choose to.
Shown, never run
Barcode content is shown as text. Links are never opened automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a barcode from a picture?+
Choose the photo or screenshot, drop it on the tool or paste it. The barcode is read in your browser and its content is shown, along with what the numbers mean for books, products, shipping labels and boarding passes.
Which barcode types can it read?+
EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, ISBN, Code 128 and GS1-128, Code 39, Code 93, Codabar, ITF and ITF-14, GS1 DataBar, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, MaxiCode and QR codes. Several barcodes in one image are all read.
Does it show the product name or price?+
No. A product barcode only holds a number (the GTIN), not the name or price. The shop or manufacturer links that number to a product in their own database. Copy the number to look it up with the retailer or a product database.
Can it read the ISBN barcode on a book?+
Yes. Book barcodes are EAN-13 numbers starting with 978 or 979. The reader shows the ISBN-13 and, for 978 numbers, the older 10-digit ISBN as well.
Can it read expiry dates and batch numbers?+
Yes, when they are encoded as GS1 data, as on many shipping labels, medicine packs and fresh food labels. The product number, batch or lot, expiry, best-before and production dates, serial number and weights are shown as labeled fields.
Can it read a boarding pass barcode?+
Yes. Boarding passes use PDF417, Aztec, Data Matrix or QR codes in the airline industry's standard format. The reader shows the passenger name, booking reference, flight, route, date and seat, on your device only.
Can I scan a barcode with my laptop or phone camera?+
Yes. Choose Scan with camera and allow camera access. The camera view is scanned continuously and stops as soon as a barcode is found. Hold the barcode straight and fill a good part of the frame with it.
Can I scan many barcodes at once?+
Yes. Choose or drop up to 100 images or PDF pages. Each is listed with the barcodes it contains, and Download CSV saves every result with its file name, page, type and content.
Why is my barcode not detected?+
Barcodes need blank space on both sides, sharp bars and enough resolution. Retake the photo straight on, closer and without glare, or crop around the barcode. Very small or damaged codes may not be readable.
Is my image uploaded?+
No. Images, PDFs and camera frames are decoded and read locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to ImgTweak.
Ready to read a barcode?
Choose an image or PDF, or scan with your camera, and see what the barcode holds privately in your browser.