Image Metadata Viewer
Extract and view EXIF metadata from photos including camera settings, dates, and GPS location.
Introduction
Ever wondered what camera settings a photographer used to capture that stunning shot? Or maybe you need to check if your photos contain GPS data before posting them online? This tool reads the hidden information embedded in image files—commonly called EXIF metadata—and displays it in an easy-to-read format. When you take a photo with a digital camera or smartphone, the device automatically records technical details like camera model, exposure settings, ISO sensitivity, focal length, and the exact date and time. If your device has GPS enabled, it also saves the precise location coordinates where the photo was taken. This metadata travels with the image file wherever it goes. Photography students use this tool to study how professionals achieve certain effects—seeing the actual aperture and shutter speed used for a particular shot is way more educational than guessing. If you are organizing thousands of vacation photos, checking the embedded timestamps and GPS coordinates helps you sort images by when and where they were captured, even if the file names got scrambled during transfers. Privacy-conscious users check images before sharing online to see if location data might reveal their home address or other sensitive information. The tool works entirely in your browser using JavaScript to read the metadata directly from the file you upload. Your images never touch our servers, and nothing gets stored anywhere. You are literally processing the file on your own device. JPEG files from cameras typically contain the richest metadata. Screenshots, edited images, and graphics created in design software usually have little to no EXIF data because they were not captured by a camera. Many photo editing programs strip metadata when saving files. Social platforms like Instagram and Facebook automatically remove EXIF data from uploaded images for privacy and file size reasons, so if you download an image from social media, it probably will not have metadata even if the original did.
Who Should Use This Tool?
- Photography students learning camera techniques
- Photographers analyzing professional work
- Privacy-conscious users checking GPS data
- Photo organizers sorting by date and location
- Camera buyers researching equipment usage
- Image authenticity verifiers
- Real estate professionals documenting properties
- Anyone curious about photo capture details
How This Tool Works
This tool uses JavaScript's FileReader API and an EXIF parsing library to extract metadata directly from image files in your browser. When you upload an image, the tool reads the binary data and looks for EXIF metadata sections embedded by the camera or smartphone. The EXIF standard defines specific byte positions and data structures within image files where metadata is stored. The tool parses this structured data to extract camera information (make, model, lens), shooting settings (exposure time, aperture, ISO, focal length, flash), image properties (dimensions, resolution, orientation), timestamps (date taken, date modified), GPS coordinates (latitude, longitude, altitude if available), and additional metadata like copyright or artist information. The parser handles different EXIF formats and byte orders (big-endian vs little-endian) automatically. All processing happens locally in your browser memory—the image file never gets transmitted to any server. The tool displays organized metadata in collapsible sections, showing only categories that contain data for the specific image. If no EXIF metadata exists in the file (common with screenshots, edited images, or social media downloads), the tool displays a clear message explaining why. JPEG files typically contain the most complete metadata, while PNG and other formats may have limited or no EXIF support depending on how they were created. The extraction process is instant, reading the metadata in milliseconds regardless of image size because it only parses the metadata section, not the entire image pixel data.
Try Image Metadata Viewer Now
Use the interactive tool below to get instant results
Upload Image to View Metadata
Drag and drop an image here, or click to select
Supported formats: JPG, PNG, WEBP, TIFF (Max 50MB)
How to Use Image Metadata Viewer
Upload Your Image
Drag and drop or click to upload an image. Handles JPEG, PNG, WEBP, and TIFF up to 50MB. JPEG files from cameras and phones usually have the most metadata. Your image processes in your browser—no server upload.
Instant Extraction
The tool extracts all EXIF metadata from the image as soon as it loads. Takes milliseconds. If the image has metadata, you will see organized info immediately. If not (like screenshots or edited images), it tells you no EXIF data was found.
View Organized Data
Metadata shows in categories: Camera Info (make, model, lens), Camera Settings (exposure, aperture, ISO, focal length, flash), Image Details (dimensions, resolution, orientation), Date Info (when taken, when modified), GPS Location (coordinates if available), and Additional Info (copyright, artist, software). Only relevant categories appear.
Check Another Image
Hit "Analyze Another Image" to clear the current data and upload a different photo. Check multiple images to compare settings, verify dates, or inspect GPS locations. The tool does not store anything—each analysis is fresh and private.
Use Cases for Image Metadata Viewer
Learning Photography Techniques
Photography students and hobbyists use this to study images they admire. Instead of guessing what settings created a particular effect, you can see the exact exposure time, aperture value, ISO, and focal length the photographer used. If you are trying to replicate the shallow depth of field in a portrait or the motion blur in an action shot, knowing the actual camera settings helps you practice with intention rather than trial and error.
Photo Library Organization
When you have thousands of photos from multiple trips and the filenames are all IMG_1234.jpg, the embedded timestamps become invaluable. The EXIF data shows when each photo was actually taken, not when it was copied or modified. GPS coordinates tell you exactly where you were standing, which helps you remember that restaurant name or hiking trail from three years ago. Some photo management software can read this metadata automatically, but this tool lets you check individual files quickly.
Camera Equipment Decisions
If you are thinking about buying a new lens or upgrading your camera body, reviewing the metadata from your existing photos shows which focal lengths you actually use most often. Maybe you thought you needed a wide-angle lens, but your EXIF data reveals you shoot mostly at 50mm and above. Checking ISO values across your photos helps you assess whether your current camera handles low light well enough or if an upgrade would improve your results.
Verifying Image Authenticity
Professional photographers sometimes embed copyright and creator information in EXIF data. If someone claims they took a photo, checking the metadata can verify or contradict that claim by showing the original capture date, camera used, and sometimes the photographer name. This is helpful for image licensing, copyright disputes, or confirming the source of news photos. Keep in mind that metadata can be edited or removed, so it is not foolproof evidence, but it provides useful clues.
Privacy and Security Checks
Before posting photos online, checking for GPS coordinates protects your privacy. Many people have accidentally revealed their home address by sharing photos taken in their backyard or driveway with location data intact. The metadata might also show your camera serial number, which could theoretically be used to track other photos you have taken. Reviewing what information exists lets you decide whether to strip the metadata before sharing publicly.
Real Estate and Property Documentation
Real estate agents and property managers sometimes need to verify when inspection photos or property condition photos were actually taken. The EXIF timestamp proves a photo was captured on a specific date, which can be important for insurance claims, maintenance records, or tenant disputes. GPS coordinates confirm the photo was taken at the correct property address.
Key Features
EXIF Extraction
Pull all EXIF metadata from image files.
Camera Details
Shows camera make, model, and lens info.
Shooting Settings
Displays exposure, aperture, ISO, focal length.
Date & Time
When photo was taken and modified.
Image Properties
Dimensions, resolution, and orientation.
GPS Coordinates
Location data if embedded in image.
Copyright Info
Artist and copyright data from EXIF.
Handles Missing Data
Clear message if no metadata found.
Image Formats
JPG, PNG, WEBP, and TIFF supported.
Drag & Drop
Drop files or click to upload.
Browser Only
Processing happens locally on your device.
No Upload
Images never leave your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is EXIF metadata?
EXIF stands for Exchangeable Image File Format. It is a standard way for cameras and smartphones to embed technical information directly into image files. Think of it as invisible text attached to your photo that describes how, when, and where it was taken. The camera model, lens type, shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity, focal length, white balance, flash settings, and capture timestamp all get recorded automatically. If your device has GPS capability and location services enabled, the exact latitude and longitude coordinates get saved too. This metadata stays with the image file when you copy it, email it, or upload it somewhere, unless software specifically removes it.
Why do some of my images show no metadata at all?
Several situations result in images without EXIF data. Screenshots captured from your computer or phone screen have no camera metadata because no camera was involved in creating them. Images downloaded from social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter usually have their metadata stripped by the platform for privacy and to reduce file size. Graphics created in design software like Photoshop or Illustrator typically have no EXIF data unless someone manually added it. Some photo editing apps remove metadata when saving edited versions. PNG images often lack EXIF support depending on how they were created. If an image has been converted between formats multiple times, metadata can get lost along the way.
Can I see GPS location data from every photo taken with a camera?
No, only if the camera has GPS capability and it was turned on when the photo was taken. Most modern smartphones have GPS built in and include location data by default, unless you specifically disabled location services in your phone settings. Traditional digital cameras and DSLRs rarely have built-in GPS unless you bought a high-end professional model or attached an external GPS accessory. Even if your device has GPS hardware, the location services must be actively enabled at the moment you capture the photo for coordinates to be recorded in the EXIF data.
Does using this tool to view metadata also remove or change it?
No, this tool only reads the metadata and displays it. Think of it like opening a book to read—you are looking at the information, not editing or erasing it. The original image file remains completely unchanged on your device. If you want to actually remove metadata from an image before sharing it publicly, you would need to use a separate metadata removal tool. Viewing the metadata first helps you understand what information exists, then you can make an informed decision about whether privacy concerns require removing it before you post the image online.
Does the tool work with all image formats?
The tool supports JPEG, PNG, WEBP, and TIFF formats. However, JPEG files from actual cameras contain the richest and most complete EXIF data. PNG files sometimes have metadata but often do not, depending on how they were created and saved. WEBP and TIFF files may or may not contain EXIF data. The tool will tell you immediately after upload whether metadata was found in your specific file. If no metadata is present, the tool displays a clear message rather than showing empty fields.
Is my image uploaded to your server when I use this tool?
No, absolutely not. Everything happens entirely in your web browser using JavaScript that runs on your own computer or phone. When you upload an image, it loads into your browser memory, the JavaScript code reads the EXIF data from that file, displays the results on your screen, and that is it. The image never gets transmitted to our servers, never gets stored in any database, and never leaves your device. You could disconnect from the internet immediately after the page loads, and the tool would still work because all the processing happens locally on your device. This design ensures complete privacy for your photos and any sensitive location data they might contain.
Can EXIF data be faked or edited?
Yes, metadata can be modified using specialized software, so it should not be considered absolute proof of anything. However, most casual users do not have the knowledge or tools to edit EXIF data convincingly. The metadata provides useful clues and information that can help verify image authenticity, but for legal or professional purposes, you would need additional verification methods. For casual use like learning photography techniques or organizing your personal photo library, the metadata is reliable because there is no reason for it to have been altered.