What Is a QR Code?

A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information in a pattern of black and white squares. Originally developed in 1994 by Denso Wave for tracking automotive parts, QR codes have become ubiquitous for sharing URLs, contact details, Wi-Fi credentials, and more.

How to Use QR Codes

URLs: Link to websites, landing pages, or app downloads.
Text: Share any plain text content.
Wi-Fi: Use the format WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;; for instant Wi-Fi connection sharing.
Contact Info: Encode vCard data for easy contact sharing.

Error Correction Levels

QR codes include built-in error correction, allowing them to remain readable even when partially damaged:

Low (7%): Smallest QR code, suitable for clean environments.
Medium (15%): Good balance between size and durability (recommended).
Quartile (25%): Higher resilience for printed materials.
High (30%): Maximum correction, ideal for harsh environments or when adding logos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a limit to the data a QR code can store?

A standard QR code can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters. For most use cases like URLs and text, this is more than sufficient. Longer content produces more complex QR codes that may be harder to scan.

Do QR codes expire?

Static QR codes (like those generated by this tool) never expire. The information is encoded directly in the image. However, if you encode a URL and that URL becomes unavailable, the QR code will still work but lead to a dead link.