Complete QR Code Reference Guide

Every QR Code Type
Explained in Detail

Explore every QR code type from URL QR codes and WhatsApp QR codes to vCard QR codes and calendar event QR codes. This complete QR code guide includes real world examples, technical specifications, format strings, and live demos for all 16 QR code formats. Find the perfect QR code solution for your business or personal needs.

Branded QR codes with logo QR code format strings Try every QR code type
Most popular QR code type URL QR code (78 percent of scans)
Largest QR code capacity Plain text QR code (7,089 characters)
Fastest growing QR code type WhatsApp QR code (up 540 percent since 2023)
Based on QRcodes.digital analytics

URL QR Code for Websites

Business Personal Dev
A URL QR code encodes any web address. When someone scans this QR code, their phone browser opens automatically to your page. This QR code type is perfect for directing traffic to your website, landing pages, or online stores.
Best QR code for: Product packaging, business cards, posters, restaurant menus, landing pages, e commerce websites
https://www.qr-codes.digital
QR code max length:2,048 characters
Encoding:UTF-8 / URL encoding
Auto redirect:Yes browser opens

WhatsApp QR Code for Chat

Social Business Personal
A WhatsApp QR code lets customers start a chat with you instantly. This QR code solution is perfect for customer support, sales inquiries, and appointment booking without saving your phone number first.
Best QR code for: Customer support teams, sales inquiries, appointment booking, order confirmations
https://wa.me/1234567890?text=Hello%20I%20have%20a%20question
QR code format:https://wa.me/number?text=message
International support:Use full number with country code

Instagram QR Code for Profile

Social Business Personal
An Instagram QR code opens your Instagram profile instantly. This QR code solution helps influencers, brands, and businesses grow their following. One scan opens the Instagram app directly to your page.
Best QR code for: Influencers, brand profiles, portfolios, product launches, giveaways
https://instagram.com/username
QR code format:https://instagram.com/username
Deep link:Opens Instagram app if installed

Facebook QR Code for Profile or Page

Social Business Personal
A Facebook QR code directs users to your Facebook profile, page, or post. This QR code solution is ideal for increasing followers, driving engagement, and promoting events.
Best QR code for: Brand pages, event promotions, community building, customer reviews
https://facebook.com/username
QR code format:https://facebook.com/username
Post link:https://facebook.com/postid

X (Twitter) QR Code for Profile

Social Business Personal
An X QR code opens your Twitter profile. This QR code solution is great for driving followers, promoting content, and sharing real time updates.
Best QR code for: News updates, customer support, thought leadership, brand awareness
https://x.com/username
QR code format:https://x.com/username or https://twitter.com/username
Deep link:Opens X app if installed

LinkedIn QR Code for Professional Profile

Social Business
A LinkedIn QR code opens your professional profile. This QR code solution is essential for networking, job seekers, recruiters, and B2B businesses.
Best QR code for: Professional networking, job applications, B2B leads, company pages
https://linkedin.com/in/username
QR code format:https://linkedin.com/in/username
Company page:https://linkedin.com/company/name

TikTok QR Code for Profile

Social Business Personal
A TikTok QR code opens your TikTok profile. This QR code solution is perfect for content creators, influencers, and brands looking to grow their TikTok following.
Best QR code for: Content creators, viral marketing, brand challenges, influencer campaigns
https://tiktok.com/@username
QR code format:https://tiktok.com/@username
Deep link:Opens TikTok app if installed

Telegram QR Code for Channel or Group

Social Business Personal
A Telegram QR code opens your Telegram profile, channel, or group. This QR code solution is great for community building, customer support, and broadcast updates.
Best QR code for: Community channels, customer support groups, broadcast updates, newsletters
https://t.me/username
QR code format:https://t.me/username
Channel link:https://t.me/s/channel

WiFi QR Code for Network Login

Business Personal
A WiFi QR code lets guests scan and connect to your network instantly. This QR code solution eliminates password typing and network searching. Perfect for hotels, cafes, and offices.
Best QR code for: Hotels, cafes, offices, guest WiFi, rental properties, events
WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;
QR code encryption:WPA/WPA2/WPA3/None
Hidden SSID support:Yes H true
Auto connect:Yes on iOS and Android

vCard QR Code for Digital Business Card

Business Personal
A vCard QR code saves your full contact details to the phone's address book. This QR code solution eliminates paper business cards and typing errors. One scan saves name, phone, email, and company.
Best QR code for: Business cards, networking events, real estate agents, freelancers, conferences
BEGIN:VCARD\nVERSION:3.0\nFN:John Doe\nTEL:123456789\nEMAIL:john@example.com\nEND:VCARD
vCard QR code version:2.1 / 3.0 / 4.0
Supported fields:Name, phone, email, address, company, title, website, social

Email QR Code for Mailto Links

Business Personal Dev
An email QR code opens a pre filled email draft with your address, subject, and message. This QR code solution is perfect for customer feedback, support tickets, and newsletter signups.
Best QR code for: Support emails, feedback forms, newsletter signups, event RSVPs, contact forms
mailto:support@example.com?subject=Question&body=Hello%20I%20have%20a%20question
QR code URL encoding:Spaces = %20, New line = %0A
Multiple recipients:Use comma plus %2C

SMS QR Code for Text Messages

Business Personal
An SMS QR code opens a pre filled text message with your phone number and optional message. This QR code solution is perfect for quick customer inquiries, appointment reminders, and contest entries.
Best QR code for: Customer service texts, appointment confirmations, contest entries, two factor authentication
smsto:+1234567890:Hello%20I%20have%20a%20question
QR code international:Use plus country code
Message limit:160 characters SMS standard

Phone Call QR Code for Tel Links

Business Personal
A phone call QR code opens the dialer with your number pre filled. This QR code solution is perfect for service businesses, sales teams, and emergency contacts. One tap to call, no typing.
Best QR code for: Sales teams, support lines, service providers, real estate, call now ads
tel:+1234567890
QR code extension support:tel:+1234567890,123
Mobile only:Desktop browsers will not dial

Calendar QR Code for Events

Business Personal Dev
A calendar QR code adds an event to the user's calendar with title, date, time, location, and description. This QR code solution reduces no shows by making it effortless to save appointments.
Best QR code for: Webinars, appointments, reservations, class schedules, conferences, reminders
BEGIN:VEVENT\nSUMMARY:Meeting\nDTSTART:20250429T100000\nDTEND:20250429T110000\nLOCATION:Office\nEND:VEVENT
QR code format:iCalendar ICS format
Date format:YYYYMMDDTHHMMSS

Location QR Code for Google Maps

Business Personal Dev
A location QR code opens Google Maps with directions to your exact address. This QR code solution helps customers find your store, venue, or property without typing or getting lost.
Best QR code for: Store locators, event venues, real estate listings, delivery instructions, tourism
geo:37.7749,-122.4194
QR code address format:geo:0,0?q=1600+Amphitheatre+Parkway
Zoom level:z=15 default

Crypto Payment QR Code for Bitcoin and More

Business Dev
A crypto payment QR code pre fills your cryptocurrency wallet address including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT. This QR code solution eliminates typos and lost funds. Perfect for freelancers and online stores.
Best QR code for: Freelancers, online stores, donations, events, marketplaces, crypto payments
bitcoin:1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa?amount=0.01
Supported QR code crypto:Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, Litecoin, Dogecoin
Amount parameter:question mark amount equals 0.01

Branded QR Code with Your Logo

Business Personal
A branded QR code lets you add your own logo to the center of any QR code. Error correction technology keeps it scannable while showing your brand. This QR code solution is completely free with no premium required.
Best QR code for: Professional business cards, product packaging, restaurant menus, building brand trust
Upload your logo on our QR code creator page
QR code error correction:Level H up to 30 percent recovery
Logo placement:Center only, keep under 30 percent area
Format:PNG with transparent background recommended
At a Glance

Quick Reference

TypeBest ForFormat PrefixExample
URL QR CodeWebsites, landing pages, online storeshttps://https://example.com
WhatsApp QR CodeCustomer chat, sales support, appointment bookinghttps://wa.me/https://wa.me/1234567890
Instagram QR CodeSocial profile growth, brand discoveryhttps://instagram.com/https://instagram.com/username
Facebook QR CodeSocial profile, page followers, event promotionhttps://facebook.com/https://facebook.com/username
WiFi QR CodeGuest network access, password free connectionWIFI:S:...WIFI:S:Network;T:WPA;P:pass;;
vCard QR CodeDigital business cards, contact sharingBEGIN:VCARDBEGIN:VCARD...END:VCARD
Email QR CodeContact forms, feedback, support ticketsmailto:mailto:hello@example.com
SMS QR CodeText messages, appointment reminders, alertssmsto:smsto:+1234567890:Message
Phone QR CodeClick to call, sales hotlines, supporttel:tel:+1234567890
Calendar QR CodeEvents, webinars, appointments, remindersBEGIN:VEVENTBEGIN:VEVENT...END:VEVENT
Location QR CodeStore directions, maps, venue findergeo:geo:37.7749,-122.4194
Crypto QR CodeBitcoin payments, donations, crypto transfersbitcoin:bitcoin:address?amount=0.01
Branded QR CodeLogo in QR code, brand identity, professional designUpload your logoFree logo placement on any QR code
How to Choose Your QR Code

Ask yourself:

📱 What action do you want users to take when they scan your QR code?

Visit a website

→ Choose URL QR Code

Start a WhatsApp chat

→ Choose WhatsApp QR Code

Connect to WiFi network

→ Choose WiFi QR Code

Save my contact details

→ Choose vCard QR Code

Send me an email or SMS

→ Choose Email QR Code or SMS QR Code

Add event to my calendar

→ Choose Calendar QR Code

Get directions to my location

→ Choose Location QR Code

Send a crypto payment

→ Choose Crypto QR Code

Grow my social media following

→ Choose Instagram QR Code, TikTok QR Code, Facebook QR Code, X QR Code or LinkedIn QR Code

Show my brand logo on the QR code

→ Choose Branded QR Code with your logo

For Developers

Raw QR Code Format Strings

URL QR Code Format

https://example.com/path?query=value
URL encode special characters. Use percent 20 for space in your QR code data.

WhatsApp QR Code Format

https://wa.me/1234567890?text=Hello
Use full international phone number. No plus sign needed for WhatsApp QR code.

Instagram QR Code Format

https://instagram.com/username
Deep link opens Instagram app if installed. This QR code works for any Instagram profile.

Facebook QR Code Format

https://facebook.com/username
Works for Facebook profiles, pages, and posts. One QR code for all Facebook destinations.

WiFi QR Code Format

WIFI:S:SSID;T:WPA;P:password;H:false;;
T indicates WPA WEP or nopass. H true or false for hidden network. This QR code connects devices instantly.

vCard QR Code Format

BEGIN:VCARD\nVERSION:3.0\nFN:Name\nTEL:number\nEND:VCARD
Use backslash n or percent 0A for line breaks in your vCard QR code data.

Email QR Code Format

mailto:to@example.com?subject=Hi&body=Hello
Spaces become percent 20. New lines become percent 0A in email QR code formatting.

SMS QR Code Format

smsto:+1234567890:Hello%20world
Place your message after the colon. URL encode the message for proper SMS QR code function.

Phone QR Code Format

tel:+1234567890
Add extension using comma like tel:+1234567890,123. This QR code works on mobile devices only.

Calendar QR Code Format

BEGIN:VEVENT\nSUMMARY:Event\nDTSTART:20250429T100000\nEND:VEVENT
Date format is YYYYMMDDTHHMMSS. Use backslash n for line breaks in your calendar QR code.

Location QR Code Format

geo:37.7749,-122.4194
Use address format geo zero comma zero question mark q equals address for named locations in your QR code.

Crypto QR Code Format

bitcoin:address?amount=0.01
Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. Add amount parameter for payment QR code.

Branded QR Code Format

Upload your logo to our QR code creator
Add any logo to the center of any QR code. Use Error Correction Level H for reliable scanning with up to 30 percent logo coverage.
Common Questions About QR Code Types

QR Code Types FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about different QR code formats and their uses.

No, each QR code contains only one piece of data. To offer multiple QR code options such as a vCard QR code and a URL QR code together, create a landing page with both links and create QR code for URL that points to that page.

The WhatsApp QR code is currently the fastest growing QR code type with an increase of 540 percent since 2023. This QR code format enables instant customer conversations without saving phone numbers. Instagram QR codes and TikTok QR codes follow closely for brand discovery and follower growth.

The plain text QR code has the largest capacity among all QR code types. It can store up to 7,089 numeric characters, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, or 2,953 bytes of binary data. Version 40 QR codes with error correction Level L achieve this maximum capacity for text based QR codes.

Static QR codes like those from this QR code generator are permanent and cannot be edited. For a QR code type that allows destination changes after printing, you need a dynamic QR code platform which typically costs between $10 and $30 per month. These dynamic QR codes use redirect URLs and also provide scan analytics.

Most QR code types work on all modern smartphones running iOS 11 or newer and Android 9 or newer. URL QR codes, WiFi QR codes, vCard QR codes, phone QR codes, email QR codes, SMS QR codes, and calendar QR codes are universally supported. Social media QR codes open in the browser if the specific app is not installed on the device.

A static QR code encodes data directly into the pattern. This QR code type is permanent, completely free, and works without any server connection. A dynamic QR code uses a short redirect URL controlled by the platform owner. This QR code type allows destination changes after printing and includes scan analytics, but requires a paid subscription ranging from $10 to $30 per month.

Creating a branded QR code with your logo is simple and completely free. Use our QR code generator, paste your URL or content, upload your logo in PNG format with a transparent background, and create QR code. This QR code type uses Error Correction Level H to remain scannable even with a logo covering up to 30 percent of the code area. Keep your logo centered for best results.

Restaurants typically need three QR code types. A URL QR code pointing to your digital menu allows instant updates without reprinting. A WiFi QR code lets guests connect to your internet without asking for the password. A location QR code helps customers find your restaurant on Google Maps. All three QR code types are free static QR codes on this platform.

The vCard QR code is the best QR code type for business cards. When scanned, this QR code type saves your full contact details including name, phone number, email address, company name, website, and physical address directly to the phone's address book. Unlike paper cards, a vCard QR code never gets lost and eliminates typing errors.

Static QR codes do not include built in analytics. However, you can add UTM parameters to your URL QR code like question mark utm underscore source equals qr and utm underscore medium equals print. Then use Google Analytics to track visits. For real time scan data including location, device type, and time of scan, you need a dynamic QR code platform which costs $10 to $30 per month.

Based on our testing with iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, and Google Pixel 7, the minimum reliable print size for any QR code type is 2 centimeters by 2 centimeters for a scan distance of 30 centimeters. For a scan distance of 1 meter, use 4 centimeters by 4 centimeters. Add 2 centimeters to each side for every additional meter of expected scan distance. Always test print your QR code before mass production.

An email QR code or SMS QR code works best for customer feedback. The email QR code opens a pre filled email draft with your address and optional subject line. The SMS QR code opens a pre filled text message. Both QR code types make it effortless for customers to submit feedback. For survey links, use a URL QR code pointing to your Google Forms or Typeform page.

A crypto payment QR code encodes your cryptocurrency wallet address. This QR code type supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. create QR code for crypto by entering your wallet address and an optional suggested amount. When scanned, the user's wallet app opens with your address pre filled, eliminating typing errors and lost funds. This QR code type is completely free and works offline.

Yes, you can add your logo to any QR code type. The key is using Error Correction Level H, which allows up to 30 percent of the QR code to be obscured and still remain scannable. Keep your logo centered, limit it to under 30 percent of the total code area, and use a PNG file with a transparent background. Always test your branded QR code on multiple phones before mass printing. This feature is completely free on QRcodes.digital.

The URL QR code is the most versatile QR code type for marketing. It can direct users to any webpage including product pages, promotional videos, landing pages, online stores, and registration forms. Add UTM parameters to track campaign performance in Google Analytics. For even more flexibility, combine a URL QR code with a branded QR code featuring your logo to build trust and recognition. This QR code type works on every smartphone without any app.

QRcodes.digital Free QR Code creator tool

Trusted worldwide

This guide covers major QR code types supported by QRcodes.digital. Every QR code format has been tested across devices including iPhone, Samsung, and Pixel. The try it buttons open our QR code creator with the correct format pre selected. Create any QR code type instantly for free with no signup and no watermark.

Last updated: May 1, 2026 - 16 QR Code Types Guide by BMMtechnologies (Oregon, USA)