What is a QR code?
By MakeMyQROnline · Updated
Short answer
A QR (Quick Response) code is a square, two-dimensional barcode that stores information such as a web address, Wi-Fi login, contact card or payment request. A phone camera reads it in a fraction of a second and offers the matching action — open the link, join the network, or start the payment.
Where QR codes came from
QR codes were invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a Japanese company, to track car parts quickly. Unlike a traditional barcode, which stores data in one direction, a QR code stores it both horizontally and vertically, so it holds far more information in a small square.
How a QR code works
The three large squares in the corners (the "finder patterns" or "eyes") tell the scanner where the code is and which way up it is. The small black and white squares in between ("modules") carry the data.
QR codes include built-in error correction. Depending on the level chosen — L (about 7%), M (15%), Q (25%) or H (30%) — a code can still be read even if part of it is dirty, damaged or covered by a logo.
What a QR code can store
The largest standard QR code holds up to 7,089 digits or 4,296 letters and numbers. In practice, codes usually hold a short piece of text that a phone knows how to act on:
- A website address (URL)
- Wi-Fi network name and password
- A contact card (vCard)
- An email, SMS or phone number
- A map location
- A UPI payment request (in India)
What does QR stand for?
QR stands for "Quick Response". The full form of QR code is Quick Response code — named for how fast a scanner can read it. The name "QR Code" is a registered trademark of Denso Wave, the company that invented it, but the standard (ISO/IEC 18004) is free for anyone to use.
How do you scan a QR code?
Open your phone's camera, point it at the code and tap the link or banner that appears. On Android you can also use Google Lens or the QR scanner in the quick-settings panel; payment codes are scanned from inside a UPI or wallet app.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan a QR code?
Usually not. The built-in camera on most iPhones and Android phones scans QR codes automatically; Google Lens also works.
Is a QR code the same as a barcode?
It is a type of barcode. A classic barcode stores data in one direction (lines); a QR code stores it in two directions (a grid), so it holds much more.
Can a QR code be dangerous?
The code itself is just data, but it can point to a harmful website. Check the link preview your phone shows before opening it.
What does QR stand for in QR code?
QR stands for "Quick Response". A QR code is a Quick Response code — a two-dimensional barcode designed to be read very quickly by a camera.
What is the full form of QR code?
The full form of QR code is Quick Response code.
Who invented the QR code?
Masahiro Hara's team at Denso Wave, a Toyota group company in Japan, invented the QR code in 1994 to track car parts.
