Frequently asked questions.

TL;DR is a shopping companion that uses your camera to give you a clear, color-coded overview of which products on a shelf match your dietary preferences.

The scanner reads all the packaging on the shelf and our AI compares this to our internal database of products to output the right dietary and nutritional information.

Because the main use for TL;DR is to compare multiple products while grocery shopping, our scanner can read entire shelves in one go — as long as the products in the picture are clearly visible and recognizable.

No. You simply open our web app in your browser and you're good to go.

Yes, you need an account to use TL;DR.

We aim to keep access free for all users of TL;DR.

No, you'll need an active internet connection so we can process your photo and apply your filters.

TL;DR works through a web app and is available on any device with an active internet connection and a camera. We're working on native iOS and Android apps and will add them as soon as possible.

We're launching in the Netherlands, with more countries to be added soon. Keep an eye on our website to stay up to date, or request to have your country added through the contact box on the home screen.

We're adding more and more filters over time. We run our development based on user requests — if you'd like us to add a certain diet or filter, please add your request through the contact box on the home screen.

We're adding more and more categories over time. We run our development based on user requests — if you'd like us to add a specific product category, please add your request through the contact box on the home screen.

We're adding more and more supermarkets over time, and run our development based on user requests — if you'd like us to add your supermarket, please add your request through the contact box on the home screen.

For any supermarket we're not active in yet, TL;DR will still work, as products in most supermarkets are the same. However, we can't guarantee coverage and recognition of all products in supermarkets we haven't listed as actively covered. Results also depend on how readable the labels are in your photo.

Yes. TL;DR gives you a fast visual overview, but the product label remains the final source of truth. Always read the full label.

We analyze the information on the packaging to the best of our abilities, but product data can change. Always double-check the packaging if you're unsure or have medical needs.

No. TL;DR is a helpful tool to make reading labels faster and easier, but it does not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. Always talk to your doctor or dietitian for diet decisions, especially for allergies, pregnancy or medical conditions.

For further information, please refer to our medical disclaimer.

Try to make the picture as clear as possible, with readable and recognizable labels and packaging. Although we try to make TL;DR as universal as possible, the quality of the picture impacts the output. Things that might affect quality include light or glare, shadows, fridge doors, blocking objects, and the angle of the photo.

Please also keep in mind that we don't yet cover all product categories, diets and supermarket chains. For the latest overview of our coverage, check the overview on our home screen.

We store the photos our users take, along with the time and location they were made, and use them for further data processing based on what is visible in the image. We will never sell, use or share your personal information with third parties — we're only interested in the photo you made, without any link to your personal information. All of our data collection and storage is compliant with regulatory and legal requirements. Any further analytics are to improve TL;DR, not to build personal profiles.

For further information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.