EXIF Viewer

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is metadata embedded in image files by cameras and smartphones. It includes information like camera make and model, date and time the photo was taken, exposure settings (ISO, shutter speed, aperture), focal length, and sometimes GPS coordinates.

EXIF data can reveal sensitive information, especially GPS coordinates that show exactly where a photo was taken. This can expose your home address, workplace, or daily routine. Always strip EXIF data before sharing photos publicly on social media or websites.

Many smartphones embed GPS coordinates in photos by default. This geotagging feature can be useful for organizing photos but poses privacy risks when sharing images online. You can disable location services for your camera app or strip EXIF data afterward.

Cameras store EXIF metadata in a standardized format within the JPEG file header. The data is organized in IFD (Image File Directory) entries within an APP1 marker segment. Each entry has a tag number, data type, count, and value or offset to the actual data.

EXIF contains technical camera data (settings, date, GPS) and is written automatically by the camera. IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) contains editorial metadata like captions, keywords, and copyright info, which is typically added manually by photographers.