Take or choose a photo to countDrop a photo to count
Count them one by one, or take one photo
The same bundle of rebar: on the left, marked at the pace of counting by hand; on the right, Tallypic. An illustration drawn from a real count.
Counting by hand
One at a time, easy to lose your place
Tallypic✓ Done
A result in seconds, every bar marked
Photo counting guides
Choose an object for a ready-to-use counter, an example and specific photo tips.
Steel pipesFace the pipe endsOpen counter & guide RebarPhotograph the cut endsOpen counter & guide 
VialsShow one visible layerOpen counter & guide 
CapsulesSeparate touching capsulesOpen counter & guide 
TabletsMake a single layerOpen counter & guide 
Bacterial coloniesPhotograph the plate from aboveOpen counter & guide 
Shrimp larvaeUse a shallow white basinOpen counter & guide 
SeedsSpread the seeds in one layerOpen counter & guide 
EggsShoot from directly aboveOpen counter & guide 
LogsFace the cut endsOpen counter & guide 
ScrewsSpread them outOpen counter & guide 
CoinsLay the coins flat in one layerOpen counter & guide 
PVC pipesShoot the open ends straight onOpen counter & guide How to count objects in a photo
Step 1
Pick what you're counting
Choose the closest match — rebar, pipes, pills, seeds, coins and more. If nothing fits, use a general shape such as round or square objects.
Step 2
Upload or take a photo
Shoot from directly above, or straight at the ends of a stack. Tallypic resizes the photo in your browser before counting.
Step 3
Check the markers
Every object it finds gets a marker. Tap a missed item to add it, tap a wrong marker to remove it, then download the marked-up image with the checked total.
What Tallypic can count
Instead of one generic detector, Tallypic has 135 counting models, each trained for a specific kind of object. Pick one to try it.
135 counting models
Not on the list? Use a general shape — round, square, hollow, solid or small particles — and check the markers.
Tips for an accurate count
The photo matters more than anything else. Thirty seconds of setup saves a lot of tapping afterwards.
Do
- Spread small items in a single layer
- Use a background that contrasts with the objects
- Shoot from directly above — or straight at pipe, rebar and log ends
- Fill the frame with just the objects you want counted
Avoid
- Piles where items sit on top of each other
- Strong glare, reflections or deep shadows
- Steep angles that make far objects tiny
- Blurry photos — tap to focus before you shoot
Why use an online object counter
| Counting by hand | Counting apps | Tallypic |
|---|---|---|
| Slow for large batches | Install before you can start | Opens in any browser |
| Easy to lose your place | Often a subscription | Free daily counts |
| No record of what was counted | Tied to one device | Numbered markers you can check and download |
Frequently asked questions
How do I count objects in a photo?
Choose the type of object, upload a photo, and Tallypic marks every object it finds. Check the markers, add or remove any it got wrong, and the total updates as you go.
Is this object counter free?
Yes. Tallypic is free to use with a daily limit of counts, and there's no signup or watermark on downloaded images.
What kinds of objects can Tallypic count?
Tallypic has 135 object types, each trained for a specific kind of item: construction materials like rebar, pipes and logs; hardware like screws, nuts and bearings; pills, capsules and bacterial colonies; seeds, nuts and grains; and everyday items like coins, beads and bottles. General shape modes cover objects that aren't on the list.
How accurate is the count?
It depends mostly on the photo. Separated objects on a plain background count best; heavy overlap, glare and blur cause misses. Because every object is marked, you can see exactly what was counted and fix it before you use the number.
Can I count objects on my phone?
Yes. Tallypic works in your phone's browser — tap Take a photo to use the camera directly. There's no app to install.
What happens to my photo?
Your photo is resized in your browser, then sent to our counting service to be processed. Counting doesn't store it; it's kept only if you sign in and press Save, and you can delete it from your history at any time.