Count vials in a rack from a photo
Works with JPG, PNG, WEBP · Free up to 20 MB, Premium 50 MB
Photograph the shelf or rack face straight-on so each of the vials in the front row is visible; repeat per shelf and combine in the tally sheet. Built for pharmacies, clinics, labs and care homes — review and correct each photo before adding it to a CSV or PDF tally.
- Review the photo, then count visible vials
- Count without marking; add example boxes if you need a guided recount
- Stop counting the same vials twice to be sure of the total
- Free to use · No signup required · Without watermark
Works with JPG, PNG, WEBP · Free up to 20 MB, Premium 50 MB
Upload Image
Tips for an accurate count
• Use an even, well-lit photo with the vials fully in frame
• Check that each marked example boxes a whole vials rather than a repeated part
• Dots and heatmap show retained detections — review and correct the tally
About the Vials Counter
The vials counter counts visible vials from your photo and marks detections for review. Auto mode uses the selected item name. For a guided recount, mark up to three examples of what you want counted. Visibility, overlap and similar-looking items can affect the total. Built for pharmacies, clinics, labs and care homes.
How It Works
1. Photograph your vials
2. Check that vials is selected, then choose Count
3. Review the markers and correct the tally; add example boxes for a guided recount if needed
4. Add to the tally sheet and export your count as CSV
Perfect For
• Fridge and rack stock counts in a clinic or lab
• Goods-in checks against a controlled delivery note
• Batch and expiry reviews before use
• Draft figures supporting a regulated inventory record
Counting vials in racks, trays and fridge shelves
Clinics, pharmacies and labs count vials in fridges and racks for stock checks, at goods-in against the delivery note and during batch or expiry reviews. Vials standing upright in a rack or tray are best photographed from directly above, where each cap or stopper shows as a circle. On a fridge shelf, shoot the front row straight-on and pull the vials forward if rows behind are hidden.
Clear glass is hard to see against a pale shelf, so a dark mat under the tray improves contrast. A fridge door opening into warm air fogs the lens, and frost on cold vials adds white patches, so wipe the lens and work quickly. Colored flip-off caps help: if a tray holds two products with different cap colors, mark one example of each. The counter does not read labels, lot numbers or expiry dates, so keep products and lots in separate trays when that detail matters.
Record each rack or shelf as a tally row; regulated stock records still need your usual qualified check. Glass ampoules are covered on the ampoule counter, and tubes in a lab rack on the test tube page.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I count a whole shelf accurately?
- Shoot each shelf face straight-on in even light, count the visible front row, and multiply by the row depth if the shelf is uniformly stocked — or photograph each row. The tally sheet adds shelf-by-shelf rows into one total.
- What if the photo has more than just vials in it?
- Auto mode uses the selected item name to find what to count. For a guided recount, mark one complete, clearly visible vials — up to 3 examples for different-looking kinds. Similar-looking distractors can still affect the result, so review every marker before using the total.
- Can I count several photos into one total?
- Yes — count each photo and add every reviewed result to the tally sheet as a labelled row. If you use example boxes, mark them separately on each photo. Export the tally as CSV or a PDF report, or save it to your account.
- Is it free and private?
- Yes. You can count, review and download a free result without an account. Downloads are free without a watermark. No signup required. Server-processed photos are encrypted in transit and removed under our Security policy.
What you can do with Pill Counter
Review the main capabilities before you begin.
- Count pills and tablets from a single photo
- Use a marked tray estimate as a manual-count cross-check
- Have a qualified person review each counted-pill marker
- Optionally mark an example to refine a tricky count
- Batch-count many trays in a bulk audit
- Filter out tiny specks with a size cutoff
Settings reference
12 settings
Available controls for Pill Counter.
Upload
- Single photo / Bulk auditPresets
- Choose a single-photo count or a Premium bulk audit. Review every result.Options: Single photoBulk audit
Count
- Add to tallyOne-click
- Add this photo as a row in the current stock-take.
- Counting modePresets
- Chooses the counting engine: Auto and Similar items count from your marked examples — mark 1 to 3, one complete pill per different-looking kind; Distinct objects labels separate, fully visible items without an example.Options: AutoSimilar itemsDistinct objects
- Included markersSliderRange: 0–1 · Default: 0.21
- Starts at 21%; slide toward Show more to include weaker markers or Only strongest to hide them.
- Overlay stylePresets
- Choose dots, a heatmap, both or a clean preview.Options: BothDotsHeatNone
- What to countText input
- Names the item to count and comes pre-filled with pills; clear or change it to count a different item in the photo.
- Detection sensitivitySliderRange: 0–1 · Default: 0.5
- Adjust detection sensitivity for larger or smaller visible items.
Examples
- Mark example pillsDraw on image
- Drag a tight box around one complete, clearly visible pill. The counter uses it as a visual reference; require qualified human review for any regulated tally.
Tally
- LabelText input
- Rename this row so it is identifiable in the exported stock-take.
- CountNumber input
- Correct this row's count; totals and exports update automatically.
Advanced
- Result overlayDropdown
- Choose how count markers appear on the downloaded result.Options: Dots + heatmapDots onlyHeatmap only
- Ignore small detectionsSliderRange: 0–1 · Default: 0
- Ignore detections below the selected size.
Related tools for Pill Counter
Tools for common next steps after Pill Counter.
Counting & Inventory
Object Counter
Estimate an object count from a photo. Review and correct the numbered markers before using the count.
Try it now
Counting & Inventory
Live Object Counter
Aim your phone at separated, fully visible items and review the detector markers as the count updates in real time.
Try it now
Counting & Inventory
Bottle Counter
Count bottles on shelves, in crates, or in cold rooms from one photo, with counted detections marked for review.
Try it nowHow Pill Counter helps you get it done
Real problems it solves every day — for businesses, creators, and everyday tasks. Find the use case that fits you and start.
Pharmacy Fill Double-Checks in Seconds
Photograph a filled tray as a second check on a manual count. A qualified pharmacist must review each counted detection, correct the AI tally, and follow the required medication procedure before release.
Controlled-Substance Draft Review Trail
Treat the AI tally as a draft, have a qualified person complete the required manual controlled-substance procedure, and export only the corrected result alongside the official record. The AI report is not a compliance audit trail by itself.
Care Home Medication Round Counts
Use a photo count only as a second check. Qualified care staff must review and correct the markers and complete the required manual medication count between shifts; AI must not replace that procedure.
Supplement & Capsule Manufacturing QC
Run Similar items mode on a production sample after marking the specific capsule or tablet in the Examples setting, and have a qualified reviewer verify the markers before shipping.
Multi-Tray Stock Checks for Pharmacies
Open Bulk audit to run Distinct objects mode across every tray photo, then have a qualified person review every marker and correct each tray before exporting the tally.
Watch each transformation land
Every photo crosses the slash untouched and comes out the other side finished.
