Photo Metadata Viewer
Upload a photo to inspect EXIF and file metadata in a clean table. Great for checking timestamp, GPS, camera, and image properties.
Drag and drop your photo here
JPG, PNG, HEIC (if browser-supported), up to 25MB.
What is photo metadata?
Photo metadata is the hidden information cameras and phones embed in every image they create. It records when and where a photo was captured, which device and lens took it, and how the camera was configured at the moment of capture — all stored inside the file itself.
The most common standard is EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format), which carries capture date and time, GPS coordinates, camera make and model, lens, exposure settings, ISO, and dozens of other technical fields. Many photos also carry IPTC and XMP metadata for captions, copyright, ratings, and editing history.
Photographers, journalists, private investigators, insurance adjusters, and field documentation teams use photo metadata to verify when and where a photo was taken — useful for copyright proof, legal evidence, insurance claims, and construction progress reports. This online viewer reads the same standardized fields that desktop tools like Lightroom or ExifTool surface, but without uploading your photo anywhere.
Which fields the viewer reads
Every standard EXIF tag your camera writes, plus the file-level details the browser exposes.
Capture
- Date and time taken (DateTimeOriginal)
- Time zone offset
- GPS latitude, longitude, and altitude
- GPS direction and speed (when recorded)
Camera & lens
- Camera make and model
- Lens make and model
- Focal length and 35mm equivalent
- Capture software / firmware
Exposure
- Shutter speed
- Aperture (f-stop)
- ISO sensitivity
- White balance and metering mode
- Flash status and exposure compensation
Image & file
- Width and height in pixels
- Orientation
- Color space and bit depth
- File size and MIME type
- Embedded copyright, artist, and description tags
Photo metadata FAQ
What is EXIF data?
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is the structured metadata cameras and phones embed in every photo: capture date and time, GPS coordinates, camera and lens model, exposure settings, ISO, white balance, image dimensions, orientation, and software signatures. This viewer reads those fields directly from the file.
Does this tool keep my photos?
No. Metadata extraction runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript — your photo is never uploaded to a server, never logged, and never stored. As soon as you close the tab, the file and its metadata are gone.
Why doesn't my screenshot have any EXIF data?
Screenshots and images downloaded from social platforms typically have most EXIF stripped or never had it. iOS, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and many messaging apps remove EXIF on share to protect user privacy. The viewer will still show file-level metadata (size, type, dimensions) even when EXIF is empty.
Why is GPS missing on photos taken with my iPhone or Android?
GPS only embeds when the Camera app has Location Services permission at the moment of capture. If the permission was off, never granted, or the photo was taken in airplane mode without a GPS lock, the location field will be missing. Re-enabling Location Services only affects future photos.
Does this support HEIC files?
HEIC support depends on your browser. Safari decodes HEIC natively; Chrome and Firefox typically need a fallback decoder. The viewer will attempt to convert HEIC to JPEG client-side so you can preview the file. If your browser cannot decode the file, you'll see a notice and the file-level metadata will still display.
Can I edit or remove metadata with this tool?
No, this is a read-only metadata viewer. To stamp the capture date, time, and GPS location onto the photo itself for documentation, use the Timestamp Photo tool — it runs in the same browser with the same privacy model.
Is this the same metadata Lightroom or Google Photos shows?
Yes. All these tools read the same standardized EXIF, IPTC, and XMP metadata blocks. The fields you see here are the raw values pulled directly from the file; consumer apps may rename, group, or hide some of them in their UI.
Related free tools
Timestamp Photo Tool
Stamp the capture date, time, and GPS location onto your photo, then download the stamped image. Free, browser-only, no upload.
Before & After Photo Maker
Combine two photos into a labeled side-by-side comparison with date and location stamps. Great for renovation, landscaping, and inspection reports.