What is EXIF data?
Every time you take a photo, your camera or phone stores a record inside the file with information you cannot see in the picture: the device make and model, the lens, the date and time, the shutter speed, the aperture, the ISO and, if location is turned on, the GPS coordinates of the place. That record is called EXIF.
On top of EXIF, many programs add other metadata blocks: XMP (used by Lightroom, Photoshop and phones for the author, keywords or edit history), IPTC (common at agencies and in the press) and text comments. Some photos also carry an embedded thumbnail that can show the image as it was before cropping.
This viewer reads all of those blocks and lays them out clearly: first a summary with the essentials and, below it, every field with its technical name. If the photo has a GPS location, it warns you and lets you open it on a map to check what it gives away.
The photo is never uploaded to a server: it is read in your browser, so you can check personal photos with peace of mind. If you find something you do not want to share, you can edit or delete it from the same tool.
How to view the EXIF data of a photo
- Drag the photo onto the tool or click to choose it.
- Check the summary: camera, lens, date, exposure, author and location.
- Expand the EXIF, GPS, XMP or IPTC sections to see every field.
- If the photo has GPS, open it on the map or remove the location in one click.
What it is for
- Checking whether a photo reveals your home or another place before you post it.
- Finding out which camera, lens and settings were used for a photo you like.
- Finding the real date and time a picture was taken.
- Checking the author and copyright of a photo you are about to use.
- Seeing what data your phone photos leave behind before you send them.
Formats
- JPG, PNG and WebP photos. iPhone HEIC photos need to be converted to JPG first (or shared using the “Most Compatible” format).
- Blocks it reads: EXIF (including GPS and thumbnail), XMP, IPTC, PNG text chunks and JPG comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my photo uploaded to a server?
No. The metadata is read in your browser and the photo never leaves your device.
How do I know if a photo has a GPS location?
If the photo stores coordinates, the tool shows a warning with the position and a link to see it on a map. If no warning appears, the photo has no GPS in its EXIF or XMP.
Why does my photo have no EXIF data?
Many social networks and messaging apps strip metadata when you upload or send a photo. Screenshots and images re-saved with some editors lose it too.
What is the embedded thumbnail?
It is a small copy of the photo that the camera stores inside the file. Sometimes it is not updated when you crop or retouch the photo, so it can show parts of the original image.
Can I view the metadata of several photos at once?
Yes, with ToolStudio Pro you can add several photos and switch between them. The free try lets you check one photo.
Can I delete or change the data I see?
Yes. From the same tool you can switch to Edit, Remove all or Remove GPS without uploading the photo again.
Is it free?
You can try it free with one photo. ToolStudio Pro gives you unlimited use, several photos at once and every tool without ads.