Let us be honest: manually searching for every food item you eat is the fastest way to abandon calorie tracking altogether. It is slow, it is tedious, and it introduces errors. That is exactly why LBN includes a lightning-fast free barcode scanner that identifies packaged food in seconds — no typing, no searching, no guessing. Just point, scan, and log.
products in LBN's barcode database, sourced from OpenFoodFacts, our own curated database, and community submissions. Coverage spans the UK, EU, US, Australia, and beyond.
How the barcode scanner works
Open the scanner
Tap the scan icon on LBN's home screen or diary view. The camera activates instantly.
Point at the barcode
Hold your phone so the barcode (EAN-13, UPC-A, EAN-8, or UPC-E) is visible in the viewfinder. Recognition is automatic — no need to tap a shutter button.
Review nutritional data
The product is identified and you see calories, macros, Nutri-Score, E-number analysis, and ingredients — all on one screen.
Log to your diary
Adjust the serving size if needed (grams, portions, or a custom amount), tap “Add,” and the food is logged to your chosen meal slot. The entire process takes about 3 seconds.
What you see when you scan
A successful barcode scan gives you a comprehensive product view:
- Product name and brand — verified against the database.
- Calories per serving and per 100 g — toggle between the two depending on how you measure.
- Full macro breakdown — protein, carbohydrates, fat, fibre, sugar, saturated fat, and salt.
- Nutri-Score (A–E) — an instant health rating for the product. Learn more about Nutri-Score.
- E-number analysis — every additive decoded and risk-rated. Learn more about E-numbers.
- Full ingredient list — so you can check for allergens or ingredients you want to avoid.
If you scan a product that is not yet in the database, LBN prompts you to submit it. Enter the product name, brand, and nutritional information from the label, snap a photo, and submit. Once approved by an admin, the product becomes available to every LBN user — and you earn coins for your contribution. This means the database grows every single day, driven by real users scanning real products. Learn more about the community database.
UK supermarket coverage
LBN has particularly strong coverage of UK supermarket products. Thousands of own-brand items from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, M&S, and Waitrose are already in the database. Whether you are scanning a Tesco Finest ready meal, an Aldi protein bar, or a Lidl bakery item, there is a high chance LBN will recognise it instantly.
International coverage is growing too, with strong representation from US, German, French, Dutch, and Australian products.
Tips for getting the most out of the scanner
Make it a habit to scan products as you take them out of the cupboard or fridge, rather than after you have eaten. This way you can adjust portions before serving — for example, checking that a cereal bar is 230 kcal might make you choose a piece of fruit instead. Pre-logging is one of the most effective calorie-control strategies there is.
Completely free — no scan limits Free
Some apps limit the number of barcode scans you can do per day on their free tier, or lock the scanner behind a premium subscription entirely. LBN's barcode scanner is unlimited and free. Scan 5 products a day or 50 — there is no cap, no cooldown, and no paywall.
When to use the barcode scanner vs other methods
- Packaged food — always use the barcode scanner. It is the fastest and most accurate method.
- Home-cooked meals — use the AI meal scanner to photograph your plate.
- Loose fruit, vegetables, and meat — use the quick search to find generic entries like “banana” or “chicken breast.”
- Meals you eat often — save them as custom foods for one-tap logging.
Related features
- Free calorie tracking — the foundation that the scanner feeds into.
- Free macro tracking — every scan includes a full macro breakdown.
- Nutri-Score ratings — see an A–E health score for every scanned product.
- E-number checker — decode additives automatically on scan.
Stop wasting time typing in food names. Download LBN free on Android and start scanning your food today — three seconds from barcode to diary entry, no subscription required.
