QR codes 101
A quick orientation to what QR codes are, where you will encounter them, and every type you can generate, with links to go deeper on each.
Point your camera to test live scanning
The short version
What a QR code actually is
A QR code is a two-dimensional grid of black and white modules that any smartphone camera can read instantly. It carries significantly more data than a standard linear barcode because it encodes information both horizontally and vertically.
Read the full architectural explanationA brief history
From automotive tracking to global ubiquity
Denso Wave, an automotive supplier in Japan, invented the QR code in 1994 to track vehicle components faster than standard barcodes permitted. It remained primarily an industrial tool until Apple and Google integrated native QR detection directly into iOS and Android camera apps, removing the friction of third-party scanner utilities.
Everyday applications
Where QR codes show up by default
Restaurant and café tables, in place of a printed menu
Event badges and lanyards, for instant contact exchange
Product packaging, linking to user manuals, recipes, or warranty activation
Payment terminals, for contactless checkout flows
Posters and billboards, replacing URLs nobody wants to type by hand
Static vs Dynamic
Understanding the difference
A static QR code encodes data permanently: change the link, and you must reprint. A dynamic QR code routes through an editable short URL, so you can update destinations, add UTM tags, and view real-time scan analytics anytime without reprinting.
Read the full comparison guideFull Format Directory
Explore all 31 specialized QR code types
Ready to generate your first code?
The Free plan includes 3 dynamic QR codes and unlimited static codes forever.