EXIF Data Viewer

Drop any photo to instantly extract and view its EXIF metadata. Works with JPEG, RAW files (NEF, CR2, ARW, DNG, ORF, and more), and HEIC. See the exact camera settings, lens info, GPS coordinates, and more.

Your photo never leaves your device. All processing happens in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to any server.
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What Is EXIF Data?

EXIF stands for Exchangeable Image File Format. Every time you press the shutter, your camera quietly records dozens of technical details and tucks them inside the image file itself.

We're talking camera model, lens, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, date and time, and often GPS coordinates. All of it is embedded right into the JPEG or TIFF. You just need a way to read it.

Why EXIF Data Matters for Learning Photography

If you're trying to get better at photography, EXIF data is one of the best teachers you'll find. See a photo you love? Check the EXIF. It tells you exactly how it was made.

You can see whether the photographer used a wide aperture for shallow depth of field, a slow shutter speed for motion blur, or cranked the ISO in low light. Over time, this builds real instinct for which settings work in which situations.

It's just as useful for reviewing your own shots. Got one that came out perfectly sharp? Check the EXIF to remember what you did right.

Got a blurry one? The EXIF will tell you whether the shutter speed was too slow, the focal length too long for handheld, or the ISO pushed so high that noise took over.

Common EXIF Fields Explained

The fields you'll look at most are the exposure triangle settings: aperture (f-number), shutter speed (exposure time), and ISO.

Beyond those, focal length tells you how zoomed in the lens was, metering mode shows how the camera measured light, and flash status confirms whether the flash fired.

The date and time stamp helps you organise your library, while GPS data (if enabled) records the exact location where you took the shot.

EXIF and Privacy

Here's the thing most people overlook: EXIF data can include sensitive information, especially GPS coordinates. Share a photo taken at your home, and the EXIF could reveal your address to anyone who bothers to check.

Most social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) strip EXIF automatically when you upload. But sharing via email, messaging apps, or your own website often leaves it intact.

Worth thinking about. Before sharing images publicly, consider stripping the EXIF or at least removing the GPS tags. Most photo editing apps have an option for this on export.

How This Tool Works

This viewer reads the raw binary data of your image file directly in your browser using JavaScript. It finds the EXIF marker in the file header, parses the TIFF structure, and extracts the tag values.

Your image is never uploaded, transmitted, or stored anywhere. Everything runs locally on your device. You can even turn off your internet connection and it'll work exactly the same.

Want to understand camera settings better? Our Camera Settings hub explains aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and every other setting your camera records in EXIF data.

Frequently Asked Questions

JPEG and TIFF files are the most common formats that store EXIF data. RAW files from cameras (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.) also contain EXIF metadata, though they use slightly different structures. PNG files do not support EXIF. When you convert or export an image, EXIF data may or may not be preserved depending on the software and export settings you use.
There are several reasons a photo might lack EXIF data. Screenshots never contain EXIF because they are created by the operating system, not a camera. Images downloaded from social media have their EXIF stripped during upload. Some photo editors remove EXIF when you export or save. And some privacy-focused tools deliberately strip all metadata. If you want to preserve EXIF, check your editor's export settings.
It depends on the context. EXIF data can include your GPS location, camera serial number, and the date and time of every shot. Sharing on social media is generally safe because most platforms strip EXIF automatically. But sharing via email, cloud storage links, or your own website may leave EXIF intact. If privacy matters, strip the metadata before sharing. Most photo editors and dedicated tools can remove EXIF data in bulk.
Most photo editing software includes an option to strip metadata on export. In Lightroom, uncheck "Include All Metadata" in the export dialog. In Photoshop, use "Save for Web" which strips EXIF by default. On macOS, Preview can remove location data via Tools > Show Inspector. On Windows, right-click the file, go to Properties > Details > Remove Properties. There are also free command-line tools like ExifTool that can batch-remove metadata from hundreds of files at once.
No. This tool processes your image entirely in your browser using JavaScript. The file is read locally from your device, parsed in memory, and never transmitted anywhere. No data is sent to our servers or any third party. You can verify this by using the tool with your internet connection turned off -- it will work exactly the same way.

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