Everything you need to know about QR codes, how they work, how to create them, and how to use them effectively.
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that encodes data in a grid of black and white squares. Unlike a traditional one-dimensional barcode, a QR code can store hundreds of characters of text, a URL, contact information, Wi-Fi credentials, or virtually any other short piece of data. Smartphones can decode QR codes in an instant using their cameras. QR code scanning reached over 89 million US smartphone users in 2022, up 26% since 2020 (Statista).
QR codes use Reed-Solomon error correction, which means they can still be read correctly even if up to 30% of the code is damaged or obscured. The code is divided into functional regions: finder patterns help the scanner locate and orient the code, timing patterns establish the grid layout, and the data region stores the actual encoded information.
Keep the encoded URL as short as possible. Always test the generated code with multiple devices before printing. Leave a quiet zone of at least four modules around the code. If you are printing the code, make sure it is at least 2 cm × 2 cm. Our free QR Generator tool lets you create QR codes for URLs, plain text, email addresses, phone numbers, and Wi-Fi credentials instantly.