How to scan a barcode correctly
Practical tips for reliable smartphone scanning, even with small, glossy or slightly damaged codes.
Create good conditions
Keep the entire barcode flat and visible in the camera frame. Even lighting matters more than maximum brightness. Reflections on glossy packaging can hide bars, so slightly rotate the product or adjust the distance.
Distance and focus
Being too close can be as problematic as being too far away. Start at roughly 15 to 25 centimetres and move slowly until the camera focuses. Put very small products on a stable surface.
If scanning fails
Check that the full code is visible and not folded, scratched or covered. Packaging may contain several codes. Product lookup normally relies on the GTIN encoded in an EAN or UPC symbol.
Scan with ean.bz
The ean.bz scanner transfers the recognised number directly to product search. For damaged or low-contrast barcodes, compare the detected digits with the printed number.