What is EXIF data?

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a standard that defines the metadata embedded in digital photographs. When you take a photo with a camera or smartphone, the device automatically records detailed information about the image, including camera settings, date and time, and often GPS coordinates. This hidden data travels with your image files and can reveal a surprising amount of information about how, when, and where a photo was taken.

Why does EXIF data matter?

EXIF metadata serves multiple purposes in photography and digital workflows. Photographers use it to learn from their shots by reviewing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings. Photo organizers and editing software rely on timestamps and location data to sort and catalog images automatically. However, EXIF data also raises privacy concerns—sharing a photo online may inadvertently expose your home location or daily routines through embedded GPS coordinates.

Tool description

This EXIF Reader extracts and displays all metadata embedded in your image files. Simply upload a photo, and the tool parses the EXIF information, presenting it in a clean, readable JSON format. No data is uploaded to any server—all processing happens directly in your browser for maximum privacy.

Supported formats

  • JPEG/JPG - The most common format with full EXIF support
  • TIFF - Professional format with comprehensive metadata
  • PNG - Limited EXIF support but readable when present
  • GIF - Basic metadata extraction
  • WebP - Modern format with EXIF support
  • HEIC/HEIF - Apple's high-efficiency format used on iPhones

Examples

Camera settings in EXIF:

{
  "Make": "Canon",
  "Model": "Canon EOS R5",
  "ExposureTime": 0.004,
  "FNumber": 2.8,
  "ISO": 400,
  "FocalLength": 85
}

Location data in EXIF:

{
  "GPSLatitude": 40.7128,
  "GPSLongitude": -74.006,
  "GPSAltitude": 10.5
}

Date and time information:

{
  "DateTimeOriginal": "2025-06-15T14:30:00",
  "CreateDate": "2025-06-15T14:30:00",
  "ModifyDate": "2025-06-15T15:45:00"
}

Common EXIF fields explained

Field Description
Make/Model Camera manufacturer and model name
ExposureTime Shutter speed in seconds
FNumber Aperture value (f-stop)
ISO Light sensitivity setting
FocalLength Lens focal length in millimeters
Flash Whether flash was used
DateTimeOriginal When the photo was actually taken
GPSLatitude/Longitude Geographic coordinates where photo was captured
Orientation How the image should be rotated for display
Software Editing software used to modify the image
Artist/Copyright Creator and rights information

Features

  • Client-side processing - All EXIF extraction happens in your browser; images never leave your device
  • Multiple format support - Works with JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, WebP, HEIC, and HEIF files
  • Complete metadata display - Shows all available EXIF tags in structured JSON format
  • Drag-and-drop upload - Simply drag your image onto the upload area
  • Instant results - EXIF data appears immediately after file selection

Use cases

  • Privacy audit - Check what personal information is embedded in photos before sharing them online
  • Photography learning - Review camera settings from successful shots to improve your technique
  • Photo verification - Confirm when and where a photograph was actually taken
  • Digital forensics - Examine image authenticity and editing history through metadata analysis
  • Organizing photo collections - Extract dates and locations to help sort and catalog images