30 Creative Uses of QR Codes for 2025

Creative uses of QR codes go far beyond payments or plain product tags. They have many possible use cases in real life, whether for personal, marketing, or professional use.

Using QR codes, you can catch the fleeting attention of your audience by making your campaigns as creative as possible.

Today, these codes have become even more handy and integral, especially in business and marketing during the pandemic.

However, most people only know QR codes for smartphone payments and marketing, but did you know that there’s so much more?

Here are some creative QR code ideas you can try using the best QR code generator for your next marketing campaign.

Creative uses of QR codes for personal use

1. Wi-Fi network sharing

How many couple of times did you ask for the Wi-Fi and password, and yes, you typed the password wrong? With a WiFi QR code, you can connect to the internet in just one scan.

When the Wi-Fi QR code is scanned, it will instantly connect users to the Wi-Fi.

2. E-learning

QR codes are also a popular tool in e-learning to provide a digital dimension to learning materials.

For example, people can scan the QR code to access an audio or video course from their books.

A video QR code will automatically direct scanners to a video, while an MP3 QR code, when scanned, plays an MP3 file.

3. As a gift

You can add a surprise element to your gifts by incorporating fun QR codes on gift cards.

Let people scan a QR code to see the online gift that you bought for them. This will allow an element of surprise for the receiver.

4. vCards

A vCard QR code displays all your contact details on your scanner’s smartphone device.

Furthermore, they can directly save all your details on their smartphone, unlike static business cards, which are only thrown away in the trash and do not serve their purpose.

Creative ways to use QR codes in business and marketing industries

Here are some creative QR code ideas you can use if you want to elevate your corporate operations and services:

5. Next to packaged food in groceries or on the packaging

You cannot have all the information about your product in one packaging, right?

But worry no more. You can print fun QR codes to give a digital dimension to your product packaging and give consumers quick access to information about your product.

This can be a great way to do marketing.

A customized QR code is better as people could associate the traditional black/white QR code with a barcode that they might not want to scan.

Using a QR code generator allows brands to brand their codes and link them to engaging, informative pages.

6. At tables in restaurants to order

Digitize your menu and make it contactless using a menu QR code.

QR codes have already been widely used in Asian restaurants to reduce paper consumption and waste from cardboard menus.

7. Posted next to paintings and sculptures at museums

Great for visitors who want to learn more about the artist, the time period, and the story of the paintings displayed in museums.

It could also include links to the artist's other works and related artists, and even the ability to buy the image on a mug or poster at the museum shop.

8. On historical sites and on walking trails

Sure, a plaque is fine for Grandma, but I’d like to delve deeper. Whether with a Wikipedia entry or a video of a local historian explaining the significance of the site.

Users can scan a QR code to access a landing page with the site's historical story.

9. On recipes in magazines and newspapers

QR codes can be used to direct scanners to quick links to videos, reviews, and feedback on the website. People love to get more information.

Otherwise, they will look online if they are interested. With many QR code solutions today, there are countless ways to use QR codes in magazines to make them even more interactive.

10. In bars

Uses for QR codes in bars are a great way to engage your customers with information, games, lucky draws, surveys, or any other way to give your customers a digital extra.

11. Mobile payments

This trend has become a global phenomenon as it makes payments quick and safe.

Your smartphones have become your wallet. Bitcoin was one of the first to make the shift.

12. On medical products and beauty products

Nobody likes to read a medical brochure, but everybody would love to see a 30-second video explaining the use and benefits of a medicine or beauty product.

You can use a video QR code that will direct scanners to video links.

13. E-commerce

A great way to engage and convert your client into a new sale is by using QR codes on product tags and directing them to a quick survey. After that, you can give them a discount on their next purchase.

When your customer is happy to receive your goods, that’s a great moment to convert your customer into a messenger to new potential clients.

14. Combat counterfeit goods

In many countries, counterfeiting is a real problem, with a unique QR code counterfeit that can be easily stopped. Many luxury brands already make use of this method.

15. Bike and car sharing

Some bike companies are using QR codes in a clever way. Tern Bicycles, for example, now places QR codes on bikes.

These codes are encoded with identifying information for individual bikes: every owner’s bike has its own microsite, accessed by the QR code.

Marketing uses of QR codes

16. Ads inside elevators

If you run a dry cleaning service or something else that can help you as a marketer promote your product, QR codes in elevators and tall buildings are a clever way to place them, due to the high traffic of people who pass by.

17. QR Codes in train stations, bus stops, and subway stations

A quick scan would give you real-time information on when the next train, bus, or subway would arrive. Super practical.

18. On posters for events

You can direct the QR code to online information about your event.

19. On coffee cups

There are plenty of advertising opportunities here. Let the cup be the messenger. Coffee stores and customers can benefit greatly from this.

You can direct the QR code to your social media pages using a social media QR code to boost your online visibility.

20. On beer glasses

Ideal to see the story of your beer brewery or have an opportunity to buy online; it gives a great digital extension to your product to market and engages your clients.

21. QR codes in trade show booths

You can create a Mailchimp QR code to turn your sign-up forms into something people can scan and use instantly, making it easier to grow your email list.

22. On printed ads

Giving a digital dimension to a poster ad or a flyer is always a great way to measure if your ads actually work. You can track the QR code scan engagements using dynamic QR codes.

23. On liquor bottles

Uses for QR codes on liquor bottles would be especially good for new drinks you’re bringing to market. This gives people a clear understanding of your product.

24. Invitations to an event

You can use QR codes for your events to let exclusive guests enter. This also prevents uninvited guests from entering and crashing events.

25. On tags for sustainable clothes

Is that piece of clothing really sustainable?

Let’s quickly scan and see its story. Clothing offers a great digital dimension to your regular shopping experience.

26. On real estate

QR codes allow people to quickly find more information online about the property to buy or rent.

27. In a city game

They let people walk in the city, scan, and solve questions. It’s fun, engaging, and sounds like a real treasure hunt.

28. At video kiosks

QR codes can appear as people interact with your kiosk, whether it’s at the mall or your place of business.

29. On movie posters

A QR code can take them to a preview of the movie.

It’s a great way to give people a quick understanding of the movie and attract them to buy tickets for the show.

30. Printed on food packaging

A QR can be printed on food packaging, which makes it interactive for your buyers.

For example, you can direct the QR code to a video and showcase a step-by-step guide on how it’s made! We have seen it mostly on cakes and cookies.

Be creative with your QR codes today with QR TIGER QR Code Generator

There are many creative uses of QR codes, and we’ll continue to see more pop-ups in the coming years.

What is important is to have a good call to action next to your QR code.

A QR code is like a door in a store or restaurant: if there isn’t a sign to enter, no one will.

If you want to get the most out of QR codes, remember to use dynamic QR codes. They can be edited to any other link, Wi-Fi password, or data, and you can track the data of your QR codes.

What’s more, a customized QR code drives 30% more scans than traditional monochromatic QR codes.

QR TIGER offers an easy-to-use free QR code generator and even has an API for brands who want to integrate QR code generation and tracking in their Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Generate your QR codes with us today!