C2PA Metadata Inspector
Inspect C2PA provenance data field by field. See structured information such as signer details, algorithms, timestamps, manifest IDs, source disclosures, actions, and ingredients when those fields are present in the file.
Drop a file here
or choose a file
Your media file is inspected locally and is not uploaded for inspection.
Structured metadata
The table below is an illustrative preview. Load the sample or inspect one of your own files to replace it with locally read values.
Example Signer (Adobe / Truepic)
Camera Capture / Generative AI
ISO 8601 Cryptographic Timestamps
SHA-256 Digest & URN Manifest ID
How the Metadata Inspector works
- 1
Choose a file or sample
Select a supported file from your device, or open the bundled C2PA sample.
- 2
Read C2PA fields locally
If provenance data is present, the inspector normalizes selected fields in the browser.
- 3
Review the property table
Compare identity, timing, provenance, disclosure, and validation fields at a glance, and copy values as needed.
What the inspector shows
Identity
Manifest ID, instance ID, signer, issuer, algorithm, claim generator, and credential status when present.
Timing
Signed-at information and manifest creation or timestamp fields exposed by the C2PA record.
Provenance
Source disclosure and the number of recorded actions and ingredients.
Validation and technical details
Credential status, signature state, selected normalized C2PA fields, file summary, inspection time, and SHA-256 when available.
C2PA Metadata Inspector vs. Manifest Viewer
The two tools inspect the same underlying provenance evidence at different levels of detail.
| Tool | Best for |
|---|---|
| C2PA Metadata Inspector | Quick field-by-field overview of important provenance metadata |
| C2PA Manifest Viewer | Detailed inspection of manifest structure, assertions, ingredients, and technical data |
Need the full manifest structure? Open C2PA Manifest Viewer.
What is C2PA metadata?
C2PA provenance data is carried in a cryptographically bound provenance record. It can contain signed claims, assertions, ingredients, actions, and related validation information. This makes C2PA different from conventional metadata such as EXIF, XMP, or IPTC, which serve different purposes. This inspector does not separately parse those conventional metadata blocks.
For the tool-aligned primer, read C2PA metadata explained.
What C2PA metadata can and cannot tell you
- The presence of provenance data does not automatically prove that its statements are true.
- A generative-AI declaration is a recorded disclosure, not an AI detector score.
- Missing C2PA data does not prove that a file is fake or AI-generated.
- Verification status and source disclosure are separate concepts.
For validation boundaries, read How C2PA verification works.
For a practical inspection workflow, read How to check C2PA Content Credentials.
Supported files and privacy
The inspector accepts JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, HEIC/HEIF, SVG, MP4, MOV, MP3, WAV, and PDF files up to 200 MB. It processes files locally in your browser. Some formats have no browser preview, but status and C2PA metadata remain available. Files with no readable C2PA provenance record will show that no C2PA metadata was found; this is not a verdict about the file.
Your file stays on your device
C2PA Lab processes supported files locally in your browser. Your media is not uploaded to our servers for inspection. Limited, non-sensitive usage analytics may be sent separately. This is useful for unpublished, sensitive, or confidential files because inspection does not create a server-side copy of the media.
Read the privacy policyRelated guides and tools
Metadata Inspector FAQ
What is C2PA metadata?
It is provenance information carried in a C2PA provenance record, including signed claims and assertions plus related identity, action, ingredient, and validation fields.
What metadata can the C2PA Metadata Inspector show?
It shows normalized fields exposed by the C2PA manifest, such as signer, issuer, algorithm, signed-at information, manifest and instance IDs, source disclosure, action and ingredient counts, status, and SHA-256 when available.
Is C2PA metadata the same as EXIF?
No. EXIF, XMP, and IPTC can serve different purposes and may exist independently. This tool focuses on C2PA provenance data and does not separately parse those metadata formats.
Does C2PA metadata prove that an image is real?
No. It can provide signed evidence about provenance, but it is not a general truth test or an automatic AI detector.
What is the difference between C2PA metadata and a C2PA Manifest?
The manifest is the provenance structure. Metadata in this inspector means selected fields read from that structure, presented as a concise property table.
Can I inspect C2PA metadata locally?
Yes. File parsing and field extraction run in your browser; the media is not uploaded for inspection.