How to Scan a QR Code on PC or Mac

Scanning QR codes on a computer is surprisingly awkward compared to phones. Desktop operating systems lack the point-and-scan simplicity of mobile camera apps. You receive a QR code in an email, see one in a PDF, or encounter one on a website, and your first instinct is to pull out your phone. That works, but it breaks your workflow. This guide covers every practical method for scanning QR codes directly on your PC, Mac, or Linux machine without reaching for another device.

The Quick Answer

The fastest method: take a screenshot of the QR code and upload it to a browser-based QR scanner. This works on every operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS) with zero software installation. Our free scanner keeps your data completely private — nothing is uploaded or stored.

Second fastest: right-click the QR code image in Chrome and select “Search image with Google Lens.” Lens decodes QR codes instantly. This works for QR codes on websites but not for codes in PDFs or emails without image extraction.

Method 1: Browser-Based QR Scanner (Universal)

This is the most reliable cross-platform method. It works on any computer with a web browser.

How to use it:

1. Take a screenshot of the QR code on your screen:
   • Windows: Press Win + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool, select the QR code area
   • Mac: Press Cmd + Shift + 4, drag to select the QR code area
   • Linux: Use your screenshot tool (typically Print Screen or a tool like Flameshot)
2. Open a browser-based QR scanner.
3. Upload the screenshot or drag it into the scanner.
4. The decoded content appears instantly.

Advantages:

• Works on every operating system
• No software installation required
• Your data stays private — nothing is uploaded or stored
• Handles QR codes from any source: emails, PDFs, documents, websites, messaging apps

When to use this method:

• QR codes received in emails or chat messages
• QR codes embedded in PDF documents
• QR codes on websites that Google Lens can’t access
• Any situation where you need the raw decoded text without automatically opening a URL

Method 2: Google Lens in Chrome

Google Chrome includes a built-in Lens feature that reads QR codes from web pages.

How to use it:

1. Right-click on the QR code image on any webpage.
2. Select “Search image with Google Lens” from the context menu.
3. Google Lens opens in a side panel and decodes the QR code.
4. The decoded URL or text appears in the Lens results.

Limitations:

• Only works for QR codes displayed as images on web pages
• Does not work for QR codes in PDFs, emails (unless viewed in Gmail web), or desktop applications
• Requires sending the image to Google’s servers for processing

Method 3: Windows Camera App

Windows 10 and 11 include a Camera app with barcode scanning capability, useful if your laptop has a built-in webcam.

How to use it:

1. Open the Camera app from the Start menu.
2. Switch to Barcode mode (if available) or simply point your camera at a physical QR code.
3. The decoded content appears as a clickable overlay.

Limitations:

• Requires a physical QR code in front of your webcam
• Does not scan QR codes from screenshots or files
• The barcode mode isn’t available on all Windows versions

For scanning QR codes from files, use Method 1 (browser-based scanner) instead.

Method 4: macOS Approaches

macOS doesn’t include a dedicated QR scanner, but several built-in tools can help.

Using Preview:

1. Open the image containing the QR code in Preview.
2. Unfortunately, Preview doesn’t decode QR codes natively.
3. Use the screenshot method (Cmd + Shift + 4) and upload to a browser-based scanner.

Using the webcam:

1. Open the browser-based scanner and use the webcam mode.
2. Hold the physical QR code in front of your Mac’s camera.
3. The scanner decodes it through the browser.

Using iPhone Continuity Camera (macOS Ventura+): If you have an iPhone connected to the same Apple ID, you can use Continuity Camera to scan QR codes through your iPhone’s camera from your Mac. However, this requires specific hardware and software versions.

Method 5: QR Codes in Specific Applications

QR codes in emails (Gmail, Outlook)

Gmail web: Right-click the QR code image and use Google Lens (Chrome only). Or save the image and upload to a scanner.

Outlook: Save the QR code image attachment, then upload to a browser-based scanner.

Apple Mail: Take a screenshot of the QR code (Cmd + Shift + 4) and upload.

QR codes in PDFs

1. Open the PDF in your viewer (Adobe Reader, Preview, Chrome).
2. Take a screenshot of just the QR code area.
3. Upload the screenshot to a browser-based scanner.

Some PDF viewers allow you to copy images directly. Right-click the QR code, select “Copy Image,” then paste it into the scanner (if supported) or save it as a file first.

QR codes on external screens

If the QR code is displayed on a physical screen (TV, projector, another monitor):

1. Use your computer’s webcam with a browser-based scanner in webcam mode.
2. Or take a photo with your phone and scan that image.

Workflow Tips for Desktop QR Scanning

Keyboard shortcut workflow (fastest):

1. Win + Shift + S (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + 4 (Mac) to screenshot
2. Open QR scanner in a pinned browser tab
3. Drag the screenshot into the scanner
4. Copy the result

Bookmark the scanner: Pin our QR code scanner as a browser bookmark or tab for instant access when QR codes appear in your workflow.

Browser extension alternative: Several browser extensions add QR scanning to your right-click menu. However, extensions require broad permissions and can access your browsing data. A bookmarked browser-based scanner achieves the same result with better privacy.

Security Considerations

Desktop QR scanning carries the same risks as mobile scanning:

Preview before clicking. Browser-based scanners show you the raw decoded content without automatically opening URLs. Take advantage of this to verify destinations before visiting them.

Be cautious with email QR codes. Phishing emails increasingly use QR codes instead of clickable links to bypass email security filters. If an email asks you to scan a QR code to “verify your account” or “update your password,” it’s likely a phishing attempt.

Check the sender. Before scanning a QR code from an email, verify that the sender is legitimate. Hover over the sender’s email address to see the actual domain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I scan a QR code displayed on my computer screen?

Yes. Take a screenshot of the QR code using your operating system’s screenshot tool (Win + Shift + S on Windows, Cmd + Shift + 4 on Mac), then upload that screenshot to a browser-based QR scanner. This is the most reliable method for scanning QR codes that appear on your own screen, since you can’t point a camera at a screen you’re currently using.

Do I need to install software to scan QR codes on my computer?

No. Browser-based QR scanners work without any installation. Open the scanner in your web browser, upload an image or use your webcam, and the QR code is decoded instantly. No extensions, plugins, or downloads required. If you prefer a desktop application, options exist, but they are unnecessary for most users.

Can I use my laptop webcam to scan QR codes?

Yes. Browser-based QR scanners with webcam support can access your laptop camera (with your permission) and scan physical QR codes in real time. This works on Windows, Mac, and Linux through modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. The webcam method is useful for scanning printed QR codes, codes on product packaging, or codes displayed on other screens.

Why should I use a browser scanner instead of a Chrome extension?

Browser extensions require broad permissions that can access your browsing data, history, and page content. A standalone browser-based scanner runs in a single tab and only processes images you explicitly provide. Extensions also add attack surface to your browser. If one is compromised, it can affect all your browsing. A bookmarked scanner page is simpler, safer, and achieves the same result.