Exif reader

See the hidden data inside your photos

Digital photos carry more than pixels. Cameras and phones save EXIF metadata inside each image: the camera or phone model, lens, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, flash, the date and time the photo was taken, the software used to edit it, and often the GPS coordinates of where it was taken.

Upload an image and the EXIF reader lists everything it finds. Photographers use it to learn the settings behind a shot; buyers use it to check that a photo is original; and everyone can use it to make sure they're not accidentally sharing their home location.

If the reader shows no data, the image has had its metadata removed. Many social networks strip EXIF on upload, and so do screenshots and some editing apps.

How to use the exif reader

1. Choose a photo from your device (JPG files from cameras and phones usually have the most data).
2. Let the tool read the image.
3. Review the camera, settings, date and location fields.
4. If you see GPS data you don't want to share, remove it before posting.

Examples

A phone photo

Input: IMG_1234.jpg taken on a smartphone

Output:

Make, Model, DateTimeOriginal, ExposureTime, FNumber, ISOSpeedRatings, FocalLength, GPSLatitude, GPSLongitude ...

Typical tags. If location was on, the GPS fields show where the photo was taken.

A screenshot or downloaded image

Input: A PNG screenshot

Usually little or no EXIF. Screenshots don't come from a camera, and most social sites strip metadata.

Common uses

• Checking photos for GPS location before posting online or selling items.
• Learning the camera settings behind a photo you like.
• Confirming the date a photo was taken.
• Checking whether an image has been edited (via the software field).
• Organizing and verifying photos for archives or journalism.

Tips and things to know

• To remove location data, turn off location tagging in your camera app, or use your phone's share options to exclude location.
• Re-saving or compressing an image may strip EXIF. Try the image optimizer and check the result here.
• EXIF can be edited, so it supports but doesn't prove where or when a photo was taken.
• Check a file's format with the file MIME type checker.

Edge cases and limitations

• Camera-specific MakerNote data is left out because it's large and unreadable.
• Edited photos may show the editing app in the Software field and a changed date.
• The file is read in your browser, so it isn't uploaded. Very large RAW files can take a while to read.

Frequently asked questions

What is EXIF data?

Exchangeable Image File Format metadata stored inside photos, including camera details, settings, date and sometimes GPS location.

Can a photo reveal my location?

Yes, if location tagging was on when it was taken. The GPS coordinates can pinpoint where the photo was shot.

Why does my photo have no EXIF data?

It was removed by a social network, a messaging app, a screenshot or editing software.

Do Instagram and Facebook remove EXIF?

Major social networks strip most metadata from public images when you upload, but files sent by email or some chat apps may keep it.

Related tools

• Image optimizer: Compress and optimize images for a smaller image size but still high quality.
• File mime type checker: Get details of any file type, such as the mime type or last edit date.
• QR code reader: Upload a QR code image and extract the data out of it.
• Image to Base64: Transform an image input to a Base64 string.
• Color picker: The easiest way to select a color from the color wheel and get the results in any format.