ExifRead

What it is and what it does

exifread is a pure-Python library that reads Exif metadata embedded in digital image files. It parses Exif tags from TIFF, JPEG, JPEG XL, PNG, Webp, HEIC, and RAW formats and returns them as a dictionary mapping tag names to their values. The library supports both standard Exif tags (Image, Thumbnail, GPS, Interoperability) and manufacturer-specific MakerNote tags for cameras where specifications are available.

You can use it as a command-line tool to inspect image metadata or import it into Python scripts to programmatically extract and process tag data. The library offers options to speed up processing by skipping MakerNote details or thumbnail extraction, to stop at a specific tag, to enforce strict validation, or to convert tag values to built-in Python types for easier serialization. It requires Python 3.7 or later and has no external dependencies.

Use it for:

• Extract camera settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed) from photos for analysis or logging
• Read GPS coordinates from geotagged images to build location-aware photo applications
• Correct image orientation before display by reading the Exif Orientation tag
• Batch-process image metadata from the command line to audit or organize photo collections
• Serialize image metadata to JSON for storage or API responses using builtin_types mode

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

Extracts Exif metadata from digital image files in formats including TIFF, JPEG, JPEG XL, PNG, Webp, HEIC, and RAW, returning tag data as a dictionary for programmatic access or command-line inspection.

Yes. exifread is a stable, actively maintained library with no dependencies, low install friction, and a clear use case for anyone working with image metadata. The BSD-3-Clause license is permissive. No known vulnerabilities. Install it if you need to extract Exif data from photos.

Install

exifread on PyPI

pip install exifread

uv add exifread

poetry add exifread

Installing ExifRead

Before you install

Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies. The package is actively maintained with a recent release (2025-08-23) and the repository shows ongoing commits and community engagement.

License in practice

Licensed under BSD-3-Clause, a permissive open-source license that allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions—you must retain copyright notices and the license text.

Quickstart

pip install exifread

import exifread

with open('image.jpg', 'rb') as f:
    tags = exifread.process_file(f)
    for tag, value in tags.items():
        print(f'{tag}: {value}')

Image file must be opened in binary mode ('rb'). Supported formats are TIFF, JPEG, JPEG XL, PNG, Webp, HEIC, and RAW.

Verify before relying

• Performance characteristics when processing large image files or batches
• Completeness of MakerNote support across different camera manufacturers
• Whether the library handles corrupted or malformed Exif data gracefully

Package facts

Evidence: exifread-3.5.1-py3-none-any.whl

Keywords: exif, image, metadata, photo

Tags

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