All QR code types — what each one does
Different situations call for different QR code types. Here's what each type encodes and the best use cases for each one.
🔗
URL QR code
Encodes any web address. Scanning opens the URL directly in the browser. Best for: marketing campaigns, product pages, landing pages, menus, event info pages.
📶
WiFi QR code
Encodes your SSID, password, and security type. Scanning joins the network automatically — no typing required. Best for: cafés, hotels, offices, homes, events.
👤
vCard QR code
Encodes your full contact details — name, phone, email, company, website. Scanning prompts the recipient to save you as a contact. Best for: business cards, conferences, networking.
✉️
Email QR code
Opens a pre-addressed email draft with optional subject and body. Best for: feedback forms, contact prompts, event RSVPs, support channels.
📞
Phone QR code
Dials a phone number when scanned. Best for: printed ads, business cards, customer service lines, emergency contacts.
💬
SMS QR code
Opens a pre-filled text message to a specified number. Best for: appointment bookings, opt-in campaigns, customer service text lines.
📝
Text QR code
Displays plain text when scanned — no internet needed. Best for: instructions, product info, short messages, offline use cases.
Static vs dynamic QR codes — which do you need?
This is the most important decision before you print. Getting it wrong means reprinting — which is expensive.
| Feature |
Static QR code Free |
Dynamic QR code |
| Content editable after print | ✗ No — permanent | ✓ Yes — change anytime |
| Scan analytics | ✗ Not built in | ✓ Scans, location, device type |
| Expiry control | ✗ Permanent (good or bad) | ✓ Set expiry dates for campaigns |
| Cost | ✓ Always free | Usually paid subscription |
| Works offline | ✓ Yes (text, vCard, WiFi types) | Requires internet (short URL redirect) |
| Complexity / scan speed | ✓ Simpler pattern, faster scan | Slightly more complex pattern |
| Best for | One-off use, permanent destinations, offline content | Ongoing campaigns, A/B testing, campaigns needing analytics |
Decision rule: If you're printing business cards, product packaging, or any material that won't change — use a static QR code (this generator). If you're running a marketing campaign where the destination might change, use a dynamic QR code provider alongside our
Link Shortener to make the URL trackable.
QR code size guide — minimum sizes for reliable scanning
Printing a QR code too small is the #1 reason they fail in the real world. Use this table before sending any QR code to print.
| Use case |
Typical scanning distance |
Minimum QR size |
Recommended QR size |
| Business card | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) | 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm | 2 cm × 2 cm |
| Flyer / brochure | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) | 2 cm × 2 cm | 3–4 cm × 3–4 cm |
| Table tent / menu | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) | 3 cm × 3 cm | 4–5 cm × 4–5 cm |
| Poster (A3/A2) | 50 cm – 1 m | 5 cm × 5 cm | 7–10 cm × 7–10 cm |
| Retail shelf label | 20–30 cm | 2 cm × 2 cm | 3 cm × 3 cm |
| Window / door sign | 1–2 m | 10 cm × 10 cm | 15 cm × 15 cm |
| Billboard / banner | 3–5 m | 25 cm × 25 cm | 30–40 cm × 30–40 cm |
| Digital screen (on-screen scan) | 30–60 cm | 200 px × 200 px | 300–400 px × 300–400 px |
Print tip: Always test your printed QR code under the same lighting and distance conditions as the real environment before committing to a large print run. Gloss lamination and low-contrast backgrounds are common causes of scanning failure.
How to test your QR code before printing
Testing takes 2 minutes and can save you from an expensive reprint. Follow these five steps every time.
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1
Test on at least two devices
Scan with an iPhone (using the native camera) and an Android device. Some QR formats render differently between operating systems.
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2
Test the destination, not just the scan
Confirm the URL loads correctly, the contact saves properly, or the WiFi connection succeeds — not just that the QR code was recognised.
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3
Test at the actual scanning distance
Print a test copy at the planned size and scan it from the real-world distance (e.g. from across a café table for a menu QR code).
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4
Check the contrast
If your QR code is on a coloured background, print one test copy. Low-contrast codes (light grey on white, dark blue on black) frequently fail in real scanning conditions.
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5
Test under real lighting
Outdoor QR codes in direct sunlight, or codes on shiny/glossy surfaces, can cause glare that prevents scanning. Test in the actual environment whenever possible.
QR code not scanning? Troubleshooting guide
If your QR code isn't being recognised, one of the following is almost always the cause. Click each issue to see the fix.
The QR code is too small for the scanning distance
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Use the size guide above to find the correct minimum dimensions for your use case, then regenerate and reprint at the correct size. As a rule of thumb, the QR code should subtend at least 5° of the camera's field of view.
The contrast is too low
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QR codes require a minimum contrast ratio of approximately 4:1 between the dark modules and the light background. Standard black on white always works. Avoid: light grey on white, dark blue on black, or any coloured-on-coloured combination.
The destination URL is broken or changed
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The QR code itself may be perfectly valid, but if the URL it points to returns a 404 error or redirects incorrectly, scanning will appear to "fail." Test the URL directly in a browser. For future-proofing, use our Link Shortener so you can redirect the short URL to a new destination without reprinting the QR code.
The image is pixelated, blurry, or distorted
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Never resize a PNG QR code by stretching it — this introduces pixel artifacts that break scanning. Download a fresh QR code from this generator at the size you need. For large-format printing, always request an SVG or vector version from a vector-capable generator so the code scales without degradation.
Printed on a glossy or reflective surface
›
Gloss laminate and metallic surfaces create glare that prevents cameras from reading the code. Use a matte finish for any printed QR code. If gloss is mandatory for branding reasons, angle the surface to reduce direct reflection at the scanning position.
The QR code aspect ratio is distorted (not square)
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QR codes must be perfectly square. If you've placed the image in a design and constrained it to a non-square container, the code will fail. Always lock the aspect ratio to 1:1 when placing a QR code image in any design application.
Insufficient quiet zone (white border) around the code
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QR codes require a minimum quiet zone of 4 modules (the width of the smallest square in the code) on all four sides. If your QR code is placed flush against text or another image with no white border, scanners may struggle to detect its edges. Add at least 4–6mm of white space around the code.
How to generate a QR code — step by step
- Choose a QR code type — Select from URL, WiFi, vCard, Email, Phone, SMS, or Text at the top of the generator.
- Fill in the fields — Each type shows the relevant fields. For WiFi, enter your SSID, password and security type. For vCard, enter name, phone, email, and company.
- Click Generate QR Code — Your QR code appears instantly in the preview area above.
- Test it with your phone — Scan the on-screen preview using your phone camera before downloading. Confirm the destination is correct.
- Download as PNG — Click Download QR Code to save a high-resolution image to your device, ready for use in any design or print workflow.
QR codes — how they work and where they came from
QR stands for Quick Response. The format was invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, to track automotive parts through manufacturing. The design brief was to encode more data than a standard barcode and be readable from any angle at high speed. The resulting 2D matrix format succeeded on both counts — a QR code can be read from any of four rotations and contains built-in error correction that lets it remain scannable even if up to 30% of the code is damaged or obscured.
QR codes are governed by ISO/IEC 18004, an open international standard. Denso Wave holds the patent but has explicitly stated it will not enforce patent rights against users, meaning QR codes are free to use for any purpose — commercial or personal.
Modern smartphones can scan QR codes natively using the built-in camera app, without any third-party app. This native support, which became widespread on iOS in 2017 and on most Android devices shortly after, is the primary reason QR code adoption exploded in the late 2010s and accelerated further during the contactless-first period of 2020–2022.
QR code applications by industry
Restaurants and hospitality
Restaurants use URL QR codes on table cards and menus to direct diners to online menus, order systems, and reservation pages. WiFi QR codes placed at the entrance or on tables let guests join the network without asking staff for a password. During contactless ordering, QR codes on tables that link to a table-specific order URL became the dominant model across quick-service restaurants globally.
Marketing and advertising
Print campaigns use URL QR codes to bridge physical and digital — a poster, flyer, or billboard can carry a QR code that drives traffic to a campaign landing page, a video, a discount code, or a social profile. For campaigns where analytics matter, pair a URL QR code with a UTM-tagged short URL from our Link Shortener to track scan volume and conversion in Google Analytics.
Business cards and networking
A vCard QR code is the most efficient upgrade to a paper business card. When someone scans it, their phone offers to save your full contact record — name, title, company, phone, email, website, and even a photo — in a single tap. This eliminates the friction of manually typing contact details and ensures the information is saved exactly as you intend it.
Events and ticketing
Event organisers use QR codes for e-tickets (scannable at the door), wayfinding (QR codes pointing to maps and schedules), and check-in systems. A unique URL or text QR code per ticket allows validation systems to confirm attendance and prevent duplication.
Product packaging
Manufacturers print QR codes on packaging to link customers to instruction manuals, warranty registration pages, recipe suggestions, sustainability reports, and recall notices. Because the QR code destination is a URL, the content can be updated post-print — a significant advantage over printed instructions that are fixed at the time of manufacturing.
Education
Teachers embed QR codes in printed worksheets and textbook supplements to link students to videos, interactive exercises, reading lists, and assignment submissions. A URL QR code on a printed exam paper can link to supplementary resources without requiring students to type long URLs.
The complete QR code workflow — using OurToolkit
Unlike standalone QR generators, OurToolkit gives you every tool in the QR code creation workflow — all free, all in one place:
From URL to printed QR code in 4 steps
Step 01
Shorten & track
Use our
Link Shortener to create a short, trackable URL for your destination. Tracks click volume by date.
Step 02
Generate QR code
Paste the short URL into this generator. Select URL type, click Generate, download PNG.
Step 03
Resize for print
Use our
Image Resizer to scale the PNG to the exact pixel dimensions required by your printer or design file.
Step 04
Generate barcode (if needed)
Need a 1D barcode alongside your QR code? Our
Barcode Generator creates EAN, UPC, and Code 128 barcodes for product packaging.
Pro tip: By using our Link Shortener for the URL in your QR code, you can change the destination URL at any time without reprinting the QR code — even with a static QR code. This gives you dynamic-QR-code flexibility for free.
Frequently asked questions
How long do QR codes last?
The QR code pattern itself never expires — it is a permanent encoding of data. However, if your QR code points to a URL, that link can break if the destination page is moved or deleted. For print campaigns, use a stable URL or a URL shortener you control so you can redirect the destination without reprinting.
Can I generate a WiFi QR code for free?
Yes. Select the WiFi type in the generator above, enter your network name (SSID), password, and security type (WPA2 is standard for home and business routers). The generated QR code lets anyone scan it to join your network without typing the password. The WiFi credentials are encoded directly in the QR code and never sent to any server.
What is a vCard QR code and how does it work?
A vCard QR code encodes your contact information — name, phone, email, company, and website — in the vCard 3.0 format. When someone scans it, their phone recognises the vCard data and prompts them to save you as a contact in one tap. It is the most efficient way to share contact details in person, and works without internet on both iOS and Android.
What is the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?
A static QR code encodes data permanently. Once printed, it cannot be changed. A dynamic QR code stores a short redirect URL; the destination can be updated at any time without reprinting and supports scan analytics. For one-time use or permanent content, static codes are ideal. For ongoing campaigns, dynamic codes (or using a URL shortener with a static QR code) are recommended.
What is the minimum size a QR code should be printed?
The minimum recommended size for reliable scanning is 2 cm × 2 cm (about 0.8 × 0.8 inches) for scanning distances of up to 20 cm. For every additional metre of scanning distance, add approximately 5–7 cm to each dimension. See the full size guide table on this page for use-case-specific recommendations.
Why isn't my QR code scanning?
The most common causes are: the code is too small for the scanning distance, the contrast between the code and background is too low, the image has been resized with distortion, the destination URL is broken, or the code was printed on a glossy surface creating glare. See the troubleshooting section on this page for step-by-step fixes for each cause.
How much data can a QR code hold?
A QR code can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters, 7,089 numeric digits, or 2,953 bytes of binary data. The more data encoded, the more complex the pattern and the harder it is to scan — especially at small sizes. Keep URLs short using a URL shortener for best scan reliability.
Can I use these QR codes commercially?
Yes. QR codes are based on the open ISO/IEC 18004 standard. Denso Wave (the inventor) has publicly stated it will not exercise its patent rights against users of the QR code format. All QR codes generated on this page can be used for any commercial purpose at no cost.
Do QR codes work without internet?
The act of scanning and decoding a QR code does not require internet. However, if the code contains a URL, internet is needed to load the destination page. Text QR codes, WiFi QR codes, vCard QR codes, phone QR codes, and SMS QR codes all work fully offline — the data is encoded directly in the pattern.
How do I track how many times my QR code is scanned?
Our generator creates static QR codes, which do not have built-in analytics. To track scans, use our Link Shortener to create a trackable short URL, then encode that URL in your QR code. The shortener provides click counts by date. For full analytics including device type, location, and conversion, add UTM parameters to your destination URL and use Google Analytics.
Can I scan a QR code without a dedicated app?
Yes. iOS (iPhone) has had native QR code scanning built into the Camera app since iOS 11 (2017). Most Android phones running Android 9 or later support native scanning through the Camera app or Google Lens. No third-party QR reader app is required on modern smartphones.
What is error correction in a QR code?
QR codes have four levels of error correction: L (7% of data can be recovered if damaged), M (15%), Q (25%), and H (30%). A higher error correction level makes the QR code more resilient to damage or obscuring — but also makes the pattern more complex and harder to scan at small sizes. For standard uses, level M is a good default balance between resilience and scannability.
Are QR codes safe? Can they be hacked?
The QR code itself is just a data container — it cannot run code or perform actions on your device. The risk comes from the destination the QR code points to: a malicious URL can lead to a phishing page, a malware download, or a fake login form. Always check the URL that appears on your screen before tapping to open it, especially for QR codes in public places you did not place yourself.
Everything you need alongside your QR code — all free, no sign-up.