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.
https://www.qr-codes.digital
https://wa.me/1234567890?text=Hello%20I%20have%20a%20question
https://instagram.com/username
https://facebook.com/username
https://x.com/username
https://linkedin.com/in/username
https://tiktok.com/@username
https://t.me/username
WIFI:S:MyNetwork;T:WPA;P:MyPassword;;
BEGIN:VCARD\nVERSION:3.0\nFN:John Doe\nTEL:123456789\nEMAIL:john@example.com\nEND:VCARD
mailto:support@example.com?subject=Question&body=Hello%20I%20have%20a%20question
smsto:+1234567890:Hello%20I%20have%20a%20question
tel:+1234567890
BEGIN:VEVENT\nSUMMARY:Meeting\nDTSTART:20250429T100000\nDTEND:20250429T110000\nLOCATION:Office\nEND:VEVENT
geo:37.7749,-122.4194
bitcoin:1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa?amount=0.01
Upload your logo on our QR code creator page
| Type | Best For | Format Prefix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| URL QR Code | Websites, landing pages, online stores | https:// | https://example.com |
| WhatsApp QR Code | Customer chat, sales support, appointment booking | https://wa.me/ | https://wa.me/1234567890 |
| Instagram QR Code | Social profile growth, brand discovery | https://instagram.com/ | https://instagram.com/username |
| Facebook QR Code | Social profile, page followers, event promotion | https://facebook.com/ | https://facebook.com/username |
| WiFi QR Code | Guest network access, password free connection | WIFI:S:... | WIFI:S:Network;T:WPA;P:pass;; |
| vCard QR Code | Digital business cards, contact sharing | BEGIN:VCARD | BEGIN:VCARD...END:VCARD |
| Email QR Code | Contact forms, feedback, support tickets | mailto: | mailto:hello@example.com |
| SMS QR Code | Text messages, appointment reminders, alerts | smsto: | smsto:+1234567890:Message |
| Phone QR Code | Click to call, sales hotlines, support | tel: | tel:+1234567890 |
| Calendar QR Code | Events, webinars, appointments, reminders | BEGIN:VEVENT | BEGIN:VEVENT...END:VEVENT |
| Location QR Code | Store directions, maps, venue finder | geo: | geo:37.7749,-122.4194 |
| Crypto QR Code | Bitcoin payments, donations, crypto transfers | bitcoin: | bitcoin:address?amount=0.01 |
| Branded QR Code | Logo in QR code, brand identity, professional design | Upload your logo | Free logo placement on any QR code |
📱 What action do you want users to take when they scan your QR code?
→ Choose URL QR Code
→ Choose WhatsApp QR Code
→ Choose WiFi QR Code
→ Choose vCard QR Code
→ Choose Email QR Code or SMS QR Code
→ Choose Calendar QR Code
→ Choose Location QR Code
→ Choose Crypto QR Code
→ Choose Instagram QR Code, TikTok QR Code, Facebook QR Code, X QR Code or LinkedIn QR Code
→ Choose Branded QR Code with your logo
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.