TCGLens uses advanced artificial intelligence to recognize trading cards from your camera and instantly return pricing and card data. Here's exactly how it works.
Download TCGLens for free from the App Store. Open the app — no account required to start scanning.
Hit the scan button in the center of the screen. Your iPhone camera activates with a scan frame overlay. You can also tap the gallery icon to upload a photo instead.
Hold your trading card flat in good lighting and position it within the scan frame. Keep it still for 1–2 seconds. The AI starts analyzing the moment the card is in frame.
TCGLens's AI model compares your scan against our database of over 1 million cards. It identifies the exact card, set, rarity, and variant — including subtle differences like holo vs. reverse holo and 1st Edition vs. Unlimited printing.
Results appear instantly: card name, set, card number, rarity, variant type, and the current market value pulled from live marketplace data. You also see the price range and recent price trend.
Tap "Add to Collection" to save the card. Set the condition, and TCGLens will track this card and its value in your personal portfolio. Your collection total updates live as market prices change.
Our model is trained on millions of card images. It recognizes visual patterns unique to each card — art, borders, foil patterns, set symbols, and card text layout.
Card recognition happens fast. You see results within 2–3 seconds of framing the card — no slow cloud roundtrips for identification.
Once a card is identified, current market prices are fetched from live marketplace data — giving you real-time values rather than stale cached estimates.
New card sets are added to the database as they release. The AI improves continuously, and new sets are supported within days of their launch.
Natural daylight or a bright indoor light gives the best results. Avoid scanning in dim or yellow-tinted light.
Lay the card on a flat surface or hold it steady. Curved or bent cards may take slightly longer to identify.
Get close enough that the card fills most of the scan frame. Don't include too much background area around the card.
Holo cards can cause glare that affects scanning. Tilt the card slightly or scan from a different angle if you see a glare reflection.
You need an internet connection to fetch live market prices. Card identification works best with a connection to cross-reference our full database, though core recognition can function offline for cards you've previously scanned.
Most cards are identified in 2–3 seconds. With a good internet connection, prices load simultaneously. The entire process from scan to full results is typically under 5 seconds.
This can happen with very new releases (not yet in the database), heavily damaged cards, or extremely rare promo cards. Try improving lighting, reducing glare, or uploading a high-quality photo instead. Our database is updated regularly.
TCGLens is currently iOS only (iPhone and iPad). Android support is planned — follow us for updates.
Download TCGLens on your iPhone and start discovering what your cards are really worth.