Check Photo Metadata Online

A free EXIF checker and metadata checker: every digital photo carries hidden data — the camera that took it, where and when, and what software touched it. See it all in seconds.

  1. Step 1 Upload the photo — JPG, HEIC, PNG, WebP or TIFF — or paste an image URL.
  2. Step 2 Read every field it carries: camera, date taken, editing software, GPS.
  3. Step 3 Open the coordinates on a map, or strip the data before you share the file.
Looking for something else? Strip everything at once with the EXIF Remover, remove single fields (GPS only) with the Metadata Editor, or plot the location with the GPS Map.

Drag & drop a file here, or

or
JPG PNG WebP GIF BMP AVIF TIFF HEIC Max 50MB • Auto-delete in 1h

What metadata is inside your photos

Camera make and model, lens type and focal length, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, GPS latitude and longitude, altitude, exact date and time, color space, editing software name and version, copyright info, and sometimes even a thumbnail of the original before cropping. Read the full EXIF guide to understand each field, or see camera settings explained for what the numbers mean.

What people use this for

Checking privacy before sharing photos online. Reviewing camera settings from a great shot. Verifying when and where an image was taken. Detecting if a photo has been edited. Comparing metadata between two versions of the same image. Whatever the reason — this is the starting point. Concerned about privacy? Check your Privacy Score next.

Organized Categories

Data sorted into Camera, Exposure, GPS, Timestamps, and more.

Copy, JSON, CSV

Export metadata in any format you need for reports or records.

URL Support

Paste any image URL — no need to download first.

How photo metadata checking works

When you upload an image, our server extracts all embedded metadata fields — EXIF headers written by the camera, IPTC editorial data added by photographers or agencies, and XMP records from editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom. The results are sorted into categories: camera and lens identification, exposure settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed), GPS coordinates with an interactive map link, timestamps including the original capture date and any modification dates, and software traces that show the editing chain. This is the same data that forensic analysts, journalists, and investigators use to verify photo authenticity or detect edits. If metadata reveals personal information you'd rather not share, the EXIF Remover strips it in one click.

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How it works

Full metadata breakdown

Upload any photo and see every embedded metadata field in a structured table. The tool extracts camera make and model, lens information, exposure settings (shutter speed, aperture, ISO), color profile, GPS coordinates, creation date, editing software, and dozens of additional EXIF, IPTC, and XMP fields. Supports JPEG, HEIC, TIFF, WebP, and PNG formats. Each field name is clickable for an explanation of what the value means and why it matters.

Check before you share

Photo metadata can reveal your exact GPS location, device serial number, and even daily patterns based on timestamps. Before posting to forums, marketplaces, or dating apps, check what data is embedded. For an instant risk summary, run the Privacy Score tool. To remove all metadata before sharing, use the EXIF Remover. Our Photo Privacy Guide explains which platforms strip metadata automatically and which don't.

Photography workflow

Photographers use metadata to verify camera settings after a shoot, troubleshoot exposure problems, and track which lens was used for specific shots. The metadata checker shows every technical parameter the camera recorded — useful when reviewing images before culling, exporting, or delivering to a client. For camera settings in depth, read our guide on camera settings in EXIF data. If you need to locate where a photo was taken, the GPS Map Viewer plots coordinates on an interactive map.

Online vs desktop tools

Desktop tools like ExifTool offer maximum field coverage but require installation and command-line knowledge. Online metadata viewers let you check a photo in seconds from any device — no downloads needed. Scanly extracts the same core EXIF fields as desktop tools while adding visual formatting, field explanations, and one-click actions (remove metadata, check GPS, score privacy risk). See how Scanly stacks up in our tool comparison.

Every digital photo carries invisible data recorded by the camera at the moment of capture. This metadata — called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) — includes technical settings, timestamps, software history, and sometimes GPS coordinates pinpointing where the photo was taken. Understanding this data is valuable for photographers optimizing their craft, investigators verifying image provenance, and everyday users protecting their privacy. To learn the fundamentals, start with our guide on what EXIF data is. If your photo contains GPS tags, visualize the location on a map using the GPS Map Viewer. To process multiple photos at once, try the Batch Scanner. For device-specific metadata details, see our pages for iPhone EXIF viewing and Android metadata checking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is photo metadata?

Photo metadata (EXIF data) is information automatically embedded by your camera or phone — including device model, lens, exposure settings, GPS coordinates, date/time, and software used to edit the image.

How do I check photo metadata online?

Upload your image and every metadata field is extracted and displayed in a second or two. No software to install, no registration; the file is deleted automatically within the hour.

What is an EXIF checker, and what does it show me?

An EXIF checker reads the data a camera writes into the file itself: the camera and lens, the exposure settings, the date and time the shutter fired, the editing software that touched it afterwards, and — if the device had location on — the GPS coordinates. This page is that checker: one upload, every field the file carries.

Is this metadata checker free, and do I need an account?

Free, and no account. There is no upload limit for checking, nothing is published or shared, and your file is deleted automatically within the hour.

Which formats store the most metadata?

JPG/JPEG and TIFF files contain the richest EXIF data. HEIC from iPhones also stores full metadata. PNG and WebP have limited or no EXIF support.

Can I see where a photo was taken?

If GPS was enabled on the device, latitude and longitude coordinates are stored in the metadata. Scanly displays these coordinates, and the GPS Map tool plots the exact location.

Can I check the metadata of a photo sent to me on WhatsApp or Instagram?

You can check it, but expect it to be empty. Messengers and social platforms strip metadata when the image is uploaded, so what you receive usually carries no camera, date or GPS data at all. A file with no EXIF is not suspicious — it is normal for anything that has passed through a platform.

Is my uploaded photo safe?

Yes. Files are auto-deleted within one hour and analysis results are never stored. No account required.

What if my photo shows no metadata?

Social media platforms, messaging apps, and web editors often strip metadata on upload. Screenshots and AI-generated images also lack standard EXIF fields.

How do I remove the metadata after checking it?

Two ways, depending on how surgical you want to be: the EXIF Remover strips everything from up to 50 photos at once and hands back a ZIP, while the Metadata Editor lets you drop single fields — the GPS coordinates, say — and keep the camera data you want to keep.

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