Camera and image-based search
Start from something in front of you or an existing image. Lens can return information about plants, animals, artwork and landmarks when you do not know what to type into a search box.
Google Lens
Freemium
Google Lens turns a camera view, photo or screenshot into visual search results, with tools for finding similar items, translating text and copying words from images.
What is Google Lens?
Google Lens searches from what you can see instead of relying on a typed description. Use a camera view, photo or screenshot to find visually similar products, identify plants or animals, look up landmarks, or work with text in an image.
Lens is available as an Android app and through the Google app, with a separate search workflow in Chrome on a computer. The available features vary by language, region and device; some require an internet connection. In Chrome, Google must be the default search engine for the documented Lens workflow.
What can Google Lens do?
Similar-item shopping searches
Use a photo or screenshot to look for clothing, furniture or decor. Add text to refine a visual search toward a different color, pattern or size; shopping-result availability varies by country.
Text copying and translation
Point the camera at a menu, sign or handwriting to translate text in over 100 languages, or copy words from an image to your phone or computer.
Learning resources from a problem
Search a homework problem to find explainers, videos and web results for subjects such as mathematics, history, chemistry, biology and physics.
Search within a Chrome tab
In Chrome on a computer, choose Search this tab with Google Lens, then select an image, text or an area of the page. Results open in a side panel; opening a result can take you to a new tab.
Use Cases
“Find an item without knowing its name”
Search a photo of a chair, outfit or decoration, then refine the results with a color, pattern or size instead of trying to describe the whole object.
“Read and reuse text around you”
Translate a menu or sign while traveling, or copy a paragraph or code from an image instead of retyping it.
“Find explanations for a study question”
Use the image of a problem to locate related explanations and videos, then read the resulting material as part of working through the subject.
“Investigate something on a webpage”
Select an object or text in the current Chrome tab and inspect its search results in the side panel while keeping the original page in view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I use Google Lens?
Google Lens has an Android app and is available in the Google app. On a computer, Chrome includes Search this tab with Google Lens. Some Android devices also include Lens in their camera app; features are not available in every language or region.
Can I search a saved image instead of taking a new photo?
Yes. Lens supports images and screenshots as well as a camera view. In Chrome, you can right-click an image and choose Search with Google Lens.
How do I start a Lens search in Chrome?
Set Google as the default search engine, open a webpage, and choose Search this tab with Google Lens from Chrome’s menu or the page’s right-click menu. Select what you want to search; results appear in a side panel.
What happens if I ask a follow-up question in Chrome?
The Ask a follow up bar opens AI Mode in Google Search. The Lens side panel shows the results of the original visual search.
What page information is sent to Google when I use Lens in Chrome?
For a Lens search of webpage content, Chrome sends a screenshot and page data to Google. Selecting part of the page sends that selection to Google Search. You can manage or delete Search activity through My Google Activity.
Quick Facts
- Primary input
- Camera view, image or screenshot
- Typical results
- Visual matches, related web resources, copied text and translations
- Access
- Android app, Google app and Chrome on a computer
- Chrome prerequisite
- Google set as the default search engine
- Availability
- Varies by language, region, device and feature
Google Lens Traffic Analysis
Traffic data is for reference only.
- Domain Rating
- 71
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