15+ QR Code Facts That Will Surprise You

By: Ashley P.Update: August 30, 2024

Are you looking for some QR code facts and trivia that will blow your curious mind? You’ve come to the right place.

We've listed over 15 surprising facts about these unassuming patterns of colored squares to satisfy your curiosity.

From their humble origins to insight into their future on the market, get ready to explore what makes QR codes so special in our digital world.

Table of Contents

What are some general QR code facts?
Who invented QR codes and why?
What is the main purpose of QR code?
- Two types of QR codes: Static and dynamic
15+ fun facts about QR codes you need to know
Summary: List of all QR code facts
Create your own QR codes with QR TIGER QR Code Generator

What are some general QR code facts?

QR codes are a combination of black and white squares arranged in a grid-like pattern. They are a two-dimensional variant of the barcodes we often see in our groceries. You can generate them easily using a QR code generator online.

These squares are called data modules, which store most of the information. Other parts of a QR code include:

Position markers - also known as the “eyes,” are the three identical squares located at the top right, top left, and bottom left corners of the QR code
Alignment markers - the lone square at the bottom right corner of the QR code
Data area - this is where the data modules that store information can be found
Version information - two groups of data modules that represent the size of the QR code
Timing pattern - a series of alternating black and white modules found between two position markers
Format patterns - a collection of data modules that store information regarding the QR code’s error tolerance level and data mask pattern
Quiet zone - the empty space surrounding the QR code that tells scanners where the code begins and ends

Who invented QR codes and why?

The idea for the QR code originated from the mind of Masahiro Hara, an engineer at the Japanese automotive company Denso Wave.

At the time, linear barcodes were used to track and provide information on certain items. However, these barcodes had many limitations, most particularly their storage capacity of only 20 alphanumeric characters.

This meant that multiple barcodes had to be placed on one item alone. Additionally, barcodes had to be scanned from one direction, or the scanner wouldn’t read them at all.

Because of these limitations, Denso Wave set out to improve barcodes. In 1992, Masahiro and Denso’s development team began work on a new code system after being inspired by a game of Go during lunch.

After two years of work, the first QR code was finally released by the company in 1994 and has been vital in fast production times since.

What is the main purpose of QR code?

QR codes are a quick and easy way of accessing information when using a smartphone capable of scanning them.

The importance of QR codes in information-sharing has been obvious on items being manufactured and distributed. However, it has since been used in marketing, event management, healthcare, and even personal use.

Two types of QR codes: Static and dynamic

Something that you should know about QR codes is that they come in two kinds: static and dynamic.

Static QR codes are simple barcodes that store information in the data modules themselves. Once generated, they can’t be edited, making them useful in situations where the purpose of the code remains the same.

Dynamic QR codes, on the other hand, store a URL address that directs people to the information you want to share. This means you can edit the content the URL will lead to without generating another QR code.

15+ fun facts about QR codes you need to know

Now that we know some general facts about QR codes, it’s time to get into the specifics.

The QR code patent is free to use

Usually, a patent prevents anyone from making, using, distributing, or selling an invention without permission from the inventors themselves.

However, Denso Wave decided not to exercise the rights granted to them by the patent, allowing the general population to use this technological marvel.

Since their release in 1994, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and up until today, QR codes have provided efficiency and convenience to everyone.

QR codes can be rectangular and round

We all know that QR codes are often in square shape. After all, this is the ideal shape for providing readability and scannability due to the position makers or “eyes” of the code.

However, you may be surprised to find out that they can also be rectangular or circular in shape.

That’s right, there are several QR code shapes one can use.

In 2022, Denso Wave released a new version of a QR code known as the Rectangular Micro QR code (rMQR code) that was made to save space while providing as much information as a square code.

Some platforms can also generate round QR codes, while others provide your square QR code with a round frame.

QR codes have tracking capabilities

With a QR code made with a dynamic QR code generator, it is possible to track the scans performed on your QR code.

QR codes themselves don’t have the ability to track the scans made on them. Instead, its tracking capabilities come from an advanced feature that only dynamic QR codes can provide.

Dynamic QR codes use a URL that leads to the actual content you want to embed into the data modules.

When this URL is accessed after scanning, information about the scan is taken note of online. This information can include:

Total number of scans
Number of unique scans
The device used to scan the QR code
Time and location

It takes more than 30% of damage to make a QR code unscannable

QR code error correction is the reason behind this surprising fact. This is possible thanks to the Reed-Solomon error-correction algorithm, which fixes errors in data storage.

This algorithm also adds additional data modules to a QR code that serve as backups for your embedded data, allowing QR code scanners to read the right information from your code, even if it is damaged.

There are 4 different error correction levels that determine how much of the QR code can be damaged before it is unreadable. These levels are:

Level L (7% damage)
Level M (15% damage)
Level Q (25% damage)
Level H (30% damage)

QR code dimensions can have up to 31,329 squares

A QR code can only contain 177 x 177 data modules at most. This means that a single QR code can contain up to 31,329 squares.

These modules can store 3KB of data, which may not sound like a lot, but it’s actually enough to store 7,089 numeric characters or 4,269 alphanumeric ones.

On the other hand, the smallest QR code symbol size is 21 x 21 modules. This means it can contain a maximum of 441 squares in total.

QR codes can also store Japanese Kanji & Kana characters

A worthy entry to this list of fun facts about QR codes, QR codes were designed to also store characters from both Kanji and Kana.

Kanji refers to the Japanese writing system used to write whole words. Kana, on the other hand, is a set of symbols that represent the syllables that make up words.

You can store more than just URLs in QR codes

After talking about the history of QR codes, it’s no surprise that they were originally meant to store product information in a compact space.

However, this is surprising because, in the current age of digital technology, QR codes are often used to store the URL addresses of websites. This shouldn’t stop you from creating QR codes for unique situations.

For example, instead of embedding a URL into a QR code for Wikipedia information, you can instead encode the text you want to share.

You can scan QR codes from any orientation

One of the things Masahiro Hara tried to achieve with QR codes was the ability to scan it from any direction. This is where the position markers come into play.

Position markers help orient scanners to the QR code by being in only three of its four corners. By being located at the top right, top left, and bottom left corners, they tell the scanner which part of the code is the top.

There are so many ways to customize a QR code

We mentioned how editable QR codes are filled with black and white squares. However, you may be surprised to learn that QR codes can actually be of any color!

This is great news for those looking to personalize their QR codes since colors greatly impact our moods and emotions.

You can also customize the shape of the data modules. Instead of traditional squares, you can have circles, diamonds, and four-pointed stars. You can also add a logo to your QR code by using a QR code generator with logo integration feature.

QR codes are versatile in any platform

QR codes' popularity can be attributed to their versatility, regardless of what platform is used to scan them.

Whether you use an iOS or Android phone, you can always be confident that you can access a QR code. This is especially true these days since most phones come with a built-in QR code scanner.

While QR codes can be scanned regardless of the platform used, the content behind the code can be unoptimized for certain platforms.

If you are creating your own QR codes, be mindful of how your content will look when accessed through a smartphone.

QR code size is nearly limitless

Regardless of QR code dimensions, QR codes can be as big as you want them to be. As long as the data modules are scaled properly, you can use a QR code to cover an entire field.

A real-life example of this is the QR code created by D.G Yuengling & Son, Inc., and Chalfant Family Farms. In 2022, farmers strategically planted crops in a way that will display Yuengling’s QR code once they’ve fully grown.

By the end of the crop’s growth, the QR code had an area of 1,721,344 square feet (159,918 square meters).

There are different QR code solutions

We talked about how you can store more than URLs in your QR codes. This capability has allowed several platforms to come up with several QR code types to generate for their customers.

The most basic type is the URL QR code solution. This is where you can link your websites and landing pages to a QR code. Other solutions include:

vCard QR code
File QR code
Link in Bio QR code
Google Form QR code
Wi-Fi QR code
App stores QR code
Multi URL QR code
MP3 QR code
Social media QR codes
Email QR code
SMS QR code
Event QR code
Location QR code

QR codes are scannable in three ways

When you see a QR code for an ad or from a personal friend of yours, you can scan it using 3 different methods.

One is by using your smartphone’s camera to scan it. Most phones nowadays provide the option of scanning a QR code with a built-in camera. After opening the app and pointing the camera at the code, it should automatically recognize the QR code.

Other options have a separate QR code scanner function that you have to open to scan the code. Of course, it will still use the built-in camera.

Another way to scan a QR code is with a dedicated QR code scanner. Much like the barcode scanners we see in grocery stores, they are designed to scan QR codes quickly and are connected to computers that display the content embedded within them.

The last method involves using tablet or computer cameras. This requires installing a QR code scanning application on the device. Once installed, it works similarly to the two previous methods.

QR codes were scanned 26.95 million times in 2022

Second to the last entry in this list of QR code fun facts, QR codes were scanned a total of 26.95 million times in the year 2022

According to the QR code statistics report from that year, the reason behind this number of scans was an upsurge in smartphone usage.

As of April 2024, the top 5 countries with the most scanning activity are:

United States (38.17%)
India (9.11%)
Mexico (3.90%)
France (3.86%)
Spain (3.14%)

The QR code label market can reach US$ 3.5 billion by 2033

The market is expected to keep increasing in value until it reaches US$ 3.5 billion by 2033. According to research by Future Market Insights, this is due to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%.

Based on their data, this increasing market value can be caused by an increase in online payment usage. With more and more people opting for online payments instead of cash, the demand for additional security measures has grown.

Another factor in its continuous growth is the ability to store and share large amounts of information on a single QR code. Combined with its flexibility, QR codes are expected to be a major part of communications around the world.

Summary: List of all QR code facts

QR codes were developed by Denso Wave.
Static and dynamic are the two QR code types.
QR codes are useful in marketing, logistics, event management, and more.
The QR code patent is available for free use.
There are different types of QR codes and even shapes.
You can track dynamic QR codes.
QR codes can sustain up to 30% damage before becoming unscannable.
A QR code can contain up to 31,329 squares.
QR codes are capable of storing Japanese Kanji and Kana characters.
You can create QR codes for other purposes other than for links.
Advanced smartphones can scan QR codes from any direction.
You can customize QR codes in several ways.
QR codes can be integrated with different platforms.
There is no limit to the size of a QR code.
There are several QR code solutions available in the market.
There are three ways to scan a QR code.
In 2022 alone, QR codes were scanned 26.95 million times.
By 2023, the QR code label market is expected to reach US$ 3.5 billion

Create your own QR codes with QR TIGER QR Code Generator

Since their introduction in 1994, QR codes have become a convenient and powerful means of conveying information to several people at once.

They’ve proven to be more than just a collection of black-and-white squares printed on stickers. Given their origins, they are also a symbol of human innovation in the face of unique industry challenges.

We hope that these QR code facts not only surprised you but also sparked an interest in making your own codes. Whether it's for personal use or your business, you can apply QR codes to virtually any aspect of your life.

Should you decide to start creating your own QR codes, be sure to think of us when looking for QR code software.

Our platform offers over 16 QR code solutions with several customization options. We are also GDPR-compliant and ISO-certified, guaranteeing security and safety when making and distributing your QR codes.

Interested? Come try our freemium plan and create up to 3 dynamic QR codes for free!