Health & Wellness Tech

Beginner

3 min read 4 stepsApril 5, 2026Verified April 2026

How to Use a Pill Identifier App to Check Your Medications

Identify unknown pills by their shape, color, and markings using your phone.

At a Glance

When do you need to identify a pill?

~30s

There are times when you need to figure out what a pill is: - You dropped a pill and it got mixed up with other medications - Your pharmacy gave you a new generic brand that looks different - You found a pill and want to know what it is before throwing it away safely - You want to double-check that you received the right medication A pill identifier helps you figure out what a medication is based on its shape, color, and the numbers or letters printed on it.

Use the free Drugs.com pill identifier

~41s

The easiest way to identify a pill is with the free tool on Drugs.com. 1. Open your web browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) 2. Go to drugs.com/pill_identification.html 3. Look at the pill and note: - The **imprint** — any letters, numbers, or logos stamped on the pill - The **color** — white, blue, yellow, etc. - The **shape** — round, oval, capsule, etc. 4. Enter the imprint first (this is the most important piece) 5. Select the color and shape from the dropdown menus 6. Tap "Search" 7. The results will show you pictures of matching pills with the drug name, strength, and manufacturer

Quick Tip

The imprint (letters and numbers on the pill) is the most reliable way to identify a medication. Enter it exactly as you see it.

Use your phone's camera to identify a pill

~37s

Some apps let you take a photo of a pill to identify it. **GoodRx app** (free): 1. Download "GoodRx" from the App Store or Google Play Store 2. Open the app and tap "Pill Identifier" 3. Take a clear photo of the pill on a plain white background 4. The app will try to match it **Google Lens** (free, built into most Android phones): 1. Open Google Lens (or open Google and tap the camera icon) 2. Point your camera at the pill 3. Google will search for matching images and information Camera-based identification is not always perfect, so always verify the results with the imprint search method described in the previous step.

Understand the results and stay safe

~44s

Once you identify a pill: 1. **Verify it matches your prescription** — Check that the drug name and strength match what your doctor prescribed 2. **Check for look-alikes** — Some pills look very similar. Make sure the imprint matches exactly. 3. **Ask your pharmacist if unsure** — If you are still not certain, take the pill to your pharmacist. They can identify it quickly and for free. 4. **Dispose of unknown pills safely** — If you cannot identify a pill, do not take it. Mix it with coffee grounds or dirt in a sealed bag and throw it in the trash. You can also drop it off at a drug take-back location (find one at DEA.gov).

Warning

Never take a pill unless you are sure what it is. If you have any doubts, call your pharmacist or doctor before taking it.

You Did It!

You've finished reading: How to Use a Pill Identifier App to Check Your Medications

How well did this guide stick with you?

Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

pill identifier

medication

safety

health

drugs

Official Resources

Medicare.gov MedlinePlus — Health Info AARP Health & Technology

Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

← Previous

How to Use Your Health Insurance Company's Website and App

How to Access and Download Your Health Records Online

Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

Book a Verified Tech How It Works

Learn more from official sources

Related Guides

How to Use Your Doctor's Patient Portal (MyChart & Others)

Access your medical records, message your doctor, view test results, and schedule appointments — all online.

2 min read

How to Set Up and Use a Fitness Tracker (Fitbit, Apple Watch)

Track your steps, heart rate, sleep, and exercise with a wearable fitness device — setup to daily use.

2 min read

Managing Your Health Records Online: A Complete Guide

Keep all your medical information organized and accessible — prescriptions, records, insurance, and emergency contacts.

2 min read