Different Types of QR Codes: Formats and Solutions

QR codes can be grouped two ways. By solution, QR TIGER offers 26 types, such as URL, vCard, File, Wi-Fi, and GS1 Digital Link, and each one decides what happens after a scan.

By format, Denso Wave defines seven code structures, including Model 2, Micro QR, and rMQR. Model 2 is the one phone cameras read every day.

Each solution is either static (free, with the data fixed in the code) or dynamic (editable and trackable). On QR TIGER, some solutions come in only one of the two.

URL, File, and vCard codes make up about 90% of all QR codes created on QR TIGER.

What is a QR code?

A QR code, or Quick Response code, is a two-dimensional matrix barcode created by Masahiro Hara of Denso Wave, Inc. in 1994.

Denso Wave built it to track car parts in Japanese auto manufacturing, as an alternative to one-dimensional barcodes. QR codes store more information and scan faster than the barcodes used in product inventory.

Because it stores data both across and down, one QR code can hold what used to take several barcodes.

According to the QR TIGER QR Decoded 2026 report, people most often scan QR codes for restaurant menus (55%), payments (44%), product information (40%), app downloads (38%), and Wi-Fi (34%).

What is the difference between static and dynamic QR codes?

Static QR codes store data directly in their pattern. They are free (QR TIGER allows unlimited static codes and scans), and the data cannot change. Codes like Text or Wi-Fi work offline, but a static URL code still needs internet to open the page.

Watch out for generators that call trial codes "free" but make them dynamic: those stop working when the trial ends. A true static code has nothing in between, so nobody can switch it off.

Dynamic QR codes use a short redirect URL instead. You can change the destination anytime without reprinting, and every scan logs total and unique scans, time, location, device type, and GPS position when the scanner allows it. Dynamic codes require an active subscription.

Static codes have no built-in scan tracking. You can still add UTM parameters to a URL before creating the code, so Google Analytics counts the visits it sends (not the scans). Dynamic codes add GPS tracking, which works only when the scanner allows location access.

Dynamic codes depend on your provider and plan. QR TIGER’s freemium account includes three dynamic codes with 500 scans each, while paid-plan codes become invalid once the subscription expires or gets canceled.

For a full breakdown, read our static vs. dynamic QR code guide.

Do QR codes expire?

Static QR codes never expire. The pattern holds the data, so no server sits between the scan and your content.

A static code still breaks when the destination disappears. Delete the web page or remove the file, and the scan leads nowhere.

Dynamic QR codes depend on the provider. Every scan passes through the provider’s server, so the code works only while your account stays active.

Can you change a QR code after printing it?

Yes, if the code is dynamic. Update the destination in your dashboard, and the printed code sends scanners to the new link. No reprint needed.

Static codes stay locked. Changing the content means generating a new code and reprinting every copy.

One workaround for static URL codes: point the code to a page you control. Update the page, and the code shows fresh content without a reprint.

Static vs. Dynamic: Quick comparison table

What QR code solutions are available today?

QR code generators like QR TIGER offer a range of solutions for different QR code data types. Each one targets a specific use case and content type.

URL QR code

A URL QR turns any link into a QR code. You can print it on flyers and posters to drive audiences to a specific landing page or website.

According to a QR code statistics report from QR TIGER’s database, URL QR codes make up 60.8% of all QR codes created on the platform, making them the most popular choice among users.

Multi URL QR code

A Smart URL QR code (also called a Multi-URL QR code) sends each scanner to a different page based on phone language, time of scan, number of scans, location, or a set area on the map.

Use it for local campaigns, limited-time promos, or pages in different languages. It is dynamic only.

Landing Page QR code

A Landing Page QR code (formerly the H5 editor) lets you build a mobile page without a domain or website builder.

After creating the QR code, you can still edit the landing page's content, like the text, images, and other design elements, without reprinting it.

Landing page QR codes represent 1.26% of QR codes generated.

App Store QR code

Redirect your audience to Google Play, AppGallery, or the Apple App Store, depending on their operating system, from a single QR code.

App Store QR codes account for 0.91% of all QR codes generated.

File QR code

A File QR is useful for sharing PDF files, images such as JPEG and PNG, MP4 videos, and Word or Excel documents.

The File QR code is the second-most-used solution on the platform, accounting for 16.02% of QR codes generated.

Video QR code

Takes your audience to a specific video file with a single scan. This feature is perfect for showing your product, training, and property videos directly from a QR code.

Video QR codes account for 0.96% of QR codes generated.

MP3 QR code

This QR code can store MP3 or WAV audio data. Ideal for concerts, music festivals, and other music-related events where audiences can instantly access the soundtrack of a song.

MP3 QR codes make up 1.9% of QR codes generated.

vCard QR code

Your business card details, such as your name, email address, and social media links, can be stored in a QR code. Scanners will be able to save your contact details in their mobile phone with a single scan.

Print it on business cards, resumes, or name badges, or add it to an email signature. On QR TIGER, vCard codes are dynamic only, so you can update your details without reprinting.

vCard QR codes represent 13.27% of all QR codes generated, ranking third among all solutions.

Email QR code

Pre-fill an email address, subject, and body so the scanner can send an email by simply scanning the QR code. It is also ideal for customer support emails and general feedback.

SMS QR code

Open the SMS app on the scanner’s phone with a pre-filled phone number and message. Ideal for sending instant customer support messages to your audience.

WhatsApp QR code

Open a WhatsApp conversation with a pre-filled message to your business WhatsApp account. Perfect for printing on product packaging or customer support signage in countries where WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app.

Link Page QR code

A Link Page QR code (also called a link-in-bio or social media QR code) puts all your social media links on one mobile page. Scanners will be redirected to a link page with all your social media accounts.

Link page QR codes account for 2.91% of QR codes generated.

Facebook QR code

Opens your Facebook page, profile, or post. Perfect for printing on your storefront signage or product packaging to drive more engagement on your page without having to write down a URL.

YouTube QR code

Sends your audience to a specific YouTube video or channel. Print it on your product packaging or event signage to provide direct access to your content.

Instagram QR code

Direct your audience to your Instagram page, profile, or post. Great to be printed on your restaurant’s menus, bags, and other signage to get more engagement on your page.

Pinterest QR code

Links to a specific Pinterest board or your Pinterest page. Ideal for interior design and wedding planners to give their customers direct access to their Pinterest boards.

TikTok QR code

Sends your audience to your TikTok page, profile, or post. Great for brand owners looking to promote their products and services via TikTok videos. Can be printed on product packaging, event wristbands, or pop-up signage.

Twitter (X) QR code

Links to your Twitter account or a particular tweet. It can be utilized with event hashtags on social media, conference badges, posters, and presentation slides to drive live discussion.

Menu QR code

Display your restaurant’s digital menu to your customers by simply scanning a QR code. It is also very handy for updating prices or special offers without having to reprint menus.

Menu QR codes represent 0.63% of QR codes generated.

Google Form QR code

A QR code for a Google Form lets you direct customers to your business's survey, registration, or check-in form during an event.

Google Form QR codes account for 0.44% of QR codes generated.

GS1 Digital Link QR code

GS1 Digital Link QR codes provide standardized product information to help you better manage your supply chain. Choose between the simplified and extended versions.

According to QR TIGER’s 2026 insight report on QR codes’ business impact, 63% of the 1,1548 respondents surveyed worldwide view the shift to Digital Link QR codes positively, as users are increasingly looking for codes that share more details and offer a better product experience.

Google Reviews QR code

Direct your customers to leave a review of your business on Google directly from their Google account by simply scanning your QR code.

Event QR code

Store the details of your event, such as name, venue, and time, in a QR code. Attendees can add event details to their calendars with a single scan.

Text QR code

Display text, numbers, or special characters on a scanner’s screen. They can read the text on the QR code without an internet connection.

Wi-Fi QR code

You can place your Wi-Fi network details inside a QR code and let people scan it to connect. It’s very convenient for restaurants, coworking spaces, and hotels where guests need internet access most of the time.

Location QR code

Opens an exact location in the scanner's map app, which can then give directions.

S = static, D = dynamic. Checked in the QR TIGER generator on October 23, 2026.

What are the different QR code formats?

Denso Wave, which invented the QR code, defines seven formats: Model 1, Model 2, Micro QR, iQR, rMQR, SQRC, and Frame QR. Each one trades off size, data capacity, and security for a specific use.

What are Model 1 and Model 2 QR codes?

Model 1 is the original QR code Denso Wave released in 1994. It holds up to 1,167 numbers, 707 letters and numbers, or 299 kanji characters, and is now only used in closed systems.

Model 2 added alignment patterns, which keep larger codes readable, and goes up to 40 sizes. Model 2 is the format almost every QR code uses today.

What is a Micro QR code?

A Micro QR code is a small QR code designed for reduced space. This format is used when a QR code with reduced dimensions is needed to store alphanumeric, kanji, and 8-bit character data.

Hardware manufacturers use this QR code type for encoding data on small electronic components.

What is an iQR code?

An iQR code is a Denso Wave format that holds more data than a Model 2 code of the same size and can be printed as a square or a rectangle.

It needs Denso Wave's own software to create and read, so it is used in factories and closed systems, not in marketing.

What is an rMQR code?

An rMQR code (Rectangular Micro QR code) is a narrow rectangular QR code designed for limited label space. It can hold 361 numeric, 219 alphanumeric, and 92 Kanji characters.

Pharmaceutical companies use this QR code format to encode data on their product packaging.

What is an SQRC?

An SQRC (secret-function-equipped QR code) stores part of its data in a locked zone.

It has a special construction that separates the QR code data into two zones. One zone contains the public data, which is accessible via any QR code scanner.

The second zone contains the secure data, which is only accessible with a special SQRC scanner.

What is a Frame QR code?

A Frame QR code is a QR code type that provides a large canvas area in the middle of the QR code. This QR code format was introduced in 2014 by Denso Wave.

This code has a blank area in the middle for logos and images. Denso Wave offers Frame QR mainly in Japan, and it needs a special reader app, so it rarely appears in global campaigns.

How do QR code error correction levels work?

Every QR code error correction level is based on the Reed-Solomon algorithm. This determines how much damage the code can tolerate before becoming unscannable.

How is a QR code different from a barcode?

A QR code is a 2D barcode. Traditional barcodes (1D) store data in horizontal lines only. QR codes encode data both horizontally and vertically, giving them significantly higher storage and versatility.

What other types of 2D barcodes exist besides QR codes?

Six other 2D barcodes serve specialized industries: Data Matrix, MaxiCode, DotCode, PDF417, Han Xin Code, and Aztec Code.

Data Matrix

The Data Matrix code has an L-shaped finder pattern at its border. It contains up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters.

The code is used in the food packaging industry, pharmaceuticals, and electronics manufacturing because of its ability to hold a considerable amount of data.

It can sustain up to 30% physical damage and still be scannable.

MaxiCode

This type is known for its circular and bull’s-eye design. United Parcel Service (UPS) was the first company to use MaxiCode for shipping packages. It contains 93 alphanumeric and 138 numeric characters.

The code has a standard size of one inch by one inch. MaxiCode is simple to read, and its scanners can detect light-on-dark and dark-on-light colors.

DotCode

One of the most recent 2D barcode types is DotCode, which uses a rectangular pattern of dots instead of lines.

To date, the tobacco and cigarette industry uses it to mark its products. This code type is suitable for high-speed inkjet and laser printers.

PDF417 Code

Its name comes from its pattern: each block has 4 bars and 4 spaces spread across 17 units. Laser scanners read it row by row, and cameras read it in one go. It is used on driver's licenses, ID cards, and airline boarding passes.

Han Xin Code

Han Xin Code, developed in China, holds up to 7,827 numbers, 4,350 text characters, or 2,174 common Chinese characters. It is used mainly in China.

Four square-like finder patterns help scanners detect the code. The Han Xin Code is applied mainly in industrial logistics in China, Korea, and Japan.

Aztec Code

It has a concentric-square finder pattern at the center, allowing scanners to read the code at any angle.

The code contains 3,067 alphabetic characters, 3,832 numeric characters, and 1,914 bytes of binary information. Aztec Code is used in railway tickets, patient wristbands, and tax documents.

Which QR code type should you use?

The right QR code depends on your goal, audience, and content type.

For marketing campaigns

URL and Smart URL QR codes work best. Dynamic versions let you switch landing pages by time or scan count, track scans, and change the link mid-campaign without reprinting.

For business cards and networking

vCard QR codes store your name, email, phone number, and social profiles in a single code. Scanners save your contact details directly to your phone.

For product packaging and inventory

GS1 Digital Link QR codes provide standardized product identification recognized across global supply chains.

Under GS1 Sunrise 2027, stores aim to have checkouts read these codes by the end of 2027, so one QR code can serve both the cashier and the shopper.

For events and ticketing

Event QR codes store venue details, dates, and times for instant calendar integration. Pair them with Google Form QR codes for registration and digital check-in.

For restaurants and hospitality

Use a Menu QR code for dine-in and a Wi-Fi QR code for guest networks. Menu codes are dynamic, so you can update prices and see when tables scan most. Wi-Fi codes are static: they connect guests instantly but do not track scans.

For social media growth

Link Page QR codes work best when you’re growing across multiple platforms at once. If you’re focused on a single channel, use the platform-specific code instead.

On merch and event signage, a TikTok or Instagram QR code saves people from typing your handle.

How are QR codes evolving in 2026 and beyond?

Four developments are changing how QR codes get used:

AI-generated QR code designs now create branded codes where the entire pattern doubles as artwork. The code still scans, but the whole pattern shows the brand's artwork instead of plain black squares.

Under GS1 Sunrise 2027, store checkouts aim to read 2D codes by the end of 2027. A GS1 Digital Link QR code can then show shoppers details like origin, allergens, and recycling instructions, while still giving the cashier the product number.

Smart packaging that embeds QR codes providing real-time access to additional product information will become more common. In pharmacies, 2D codes (mostly Data Matrix) already let staff verify medicine packs and check recalls.

Augmented reality through WebAR lets a QR code scan launch 3D product previews, virtual try-ons, or interactive exhibits directly in the browser. Retailers use this for furniture previews and cosmetics try-ons; museums use it to add interactive layers to exhibits.

Choose the right QR code type for the job

Picking the right QR code starts with knowing the difference between formats and solutions. A format is the code's physical structure, such as Model 2. A solution is what happens after the scan, such as opening a link or saving a contact.

For most use cases, Model 2 handles the format side. Your real decision comes down to which solution fits the task and whether you need a static or dynamic one.

Picking the right type before you print avoids a reprint later. Static works for fixed information. Dynamic works for anything you’ll update, track, or expire.

If the content might change, choose a dynamic solution. If it never will, a static code is enough.