How to Check EXIF Data Online

Checking EXIF data online is the fastest way to view image metadata without installing software. Online EXIF viewers let you upload a photo and instantly see camera settings, GPS location, timestamps, and other hidden information embedded in the file.

What is EXIF data? EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is metadata automatically embedded in photos by cameras and smartphones. It can include GPS coordinates, camera model, exposure settings, and more. Learn more: What Does EXIF Data Contain?

Best Online EXIF Viewers (2025)

1. Jeffrey's Image Metadata Viewer

URL: regex.info/exif.cgi

Jeffrey Friedl's EXIF viewer is one of the most comprehensive and trusted tools available.

Pros:

  • Extremely detailed EXIF output
  • Shows GPS coordinates with map
  • Displays maker notes from major camera brands
  • No ads, fast, reliable
  • Privacy-conscious design

Cons:

  • Interface looks dated
  • Output can be overwhelming for beginners

2. Exif.tools

URL: exif.tools

Modern, privacy-focused EXIF viewer with a clean interface.

Pros:

  • All processing done client-side (no upload to server)
  • Clean, modern interface
  • Works offline once loaded
  • Shows GPS location on map
  • Supports drag-and-drop

Cons:

  • Less detailed than Jeffrey's
  • May not show all camera-specific data

3. Pic2Map

URL: pic2map.com

Specialized tool for viewing GPS location data from photos.

Pros:

  • Focus on GPS data visualization
  • Interactive map showing photo location
  • Simple, easy-to-use interface
  • Shows full address from coordinates

Cons:

  • Limited to GPS data only
  • Doesn't show camera settings

4. Metapicz

URL: metapicz.com

Comprehensive EXIF viewer with color analysis features.

Pros:

  • Shows detailed EXIF, IPTC, and XMP metadata
  • Color histogram analysis
  • GPS map visualization
  • Clean presentation

Cons:

  • Contains ads
  • Slightly slower than alternatives

How to Check EXIF Data Online: Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Jeffrey's EXIF Viewer

  1. Visit regex.info/exif.cgi in your browser
  2. Click Choose File to select your image
  3. Or paste an image URL if the photo is already online
  4. Click View Image Data
  5. Scroll through the detailed EXIF report
  6. Look for GPS coordinates under the "GPS" section
  7. Click coordinates to view location on Google Maps

Method 2: Using Exif.tools (Client-Side)

  1. Go to exif.tools
  2. Drag and drop your image onto the page
  3. Or click to browse and select a file
  4. EXIF data appears instantly (processed in your browser)
  5. Click GPS tab to see location data
  6. Image never leaves your computer—all processing is local

Method 3: Using Pic2Map (GPS Focus)

  1. Navigate to pic2map.com
  2. Click Upload Photo
  3. Select your image file
  4. View GPS location on interactive map
  5. See full address and coordinates

What EXIF Data Can You See Online?

Camera Information:

  • Camera make and model (e.g., "Apple iPhone 15 Pro")
  • Lens information (focal length, aperture)
  • Camera serial number (on some models)

Photo Settings:

  • ISO speed (light sensitivity)
  • Shutter speed (exposure time)
  • Aperture (f-stop)
  • Focal length
  • Flash status (on/off/auto)
  • White balance
  • Metering mode

Date & Time:

  • Date/time photo was taken
  • Date/time file was modified
  • Time zone information

Location Data:

  • GPS latitude and longitude
  • Altitude (meters above sea level)
  • Direction camera was facing
  • GPS timestamp

Software & Editing:

  • Software used to edit the image
  • Editing software version
  • Image processing settings

Privacy Considerations

When using online EXIF viewers, your image is uploaded to a third-party server. For maximum privacy:

  • Use exif.tools—processing happens locally in your browser
  • Avoid uploading sensitive or private photos to online tools
  • Consider using offline software for sensitive images
  • Check the tool's privacy policy before uploading

Online EXIF Viewers vs Desktop Software

Advantages of Online Tools:

  • No installation required
  • Works on any device with a browser
  • Always up-to-date
  • Free to use
  • Quick for one-off checks

Advantages of Desktop Software:

  • Complete privacy—files never leave your computer
  • Batch processing multiple images
  • More detailed technical information
  • Can edit and remove EXIF data
  • Works offline

Mobile Apps for Checking EXIF Data

iPhone/iPad:

  • Metapho: Clean interface, shows all EXIF data
  • Exif Metadata: View and edit metadata
  • Photo Investigator: Detailed metadata viewer

Android:

  • Photo Exif Editor: View and edit EXIF data
  • Exif Eraser: Simple metadata removal tool
  • Scrambled Exif: Advanced privacy tool

Common Use Cases for Checking EXIF Data Online

  • Privacy check: Verify if your photos contain GPS location before sharing
  • Photography analysis: Learn camera settings from great photos
  • Image verification: Check if a photo has been edited
  • Timestamp verification: Confirm when a photo was actually taken
  • Copyright investigation: Find photographer information
  • Device identification: Determine which camera/phone took a photo

Pro Tip

Before sharing photos online or via messaging apps, always check for GPS data using an online EXIF viewer. If you find location data, use the tool's removal feature or manually strip the metadata before sharing. Learn how: How to Remove Hidden Data from Files