Skapa QR-kod online

How to Choose the Right QR Code Type

The 16 formats on this page look identical once printed. The difference is what happens when someone scans. A phone number code opens the dialler. A WiFi code connects to the network. A PayPal code opens a payment page. Choosing the wrong type means the scan triggers the wrong action, or no action at all.

The 16 types fall into five categories based on what they encode and what they do when scanned. Knowing which category fits your use case is the first decision to make.

Link and Text Codes

URL codes open a web address in the device browser. Text codes display a plain message on screen with no internet connection required. Use URL when you want to direct someone to a webpage. Use Text for any message that needs to be readable offline, such as instructions, product notes, serial numbers, or labels in environments where signal is unreliable.

Communication Codes

Five types trigger specific communication actions. Phone opens the native dialler with the number pre-filled. SMS opens the messaging app with a number and optional pre-written message. Email opens the mail client with the address, subject, and body ready. WhatsApp opens a chat window in the WhatsApp app. FaceTime initiates a FaceTime video or audio call on Apple devices only.

Choose based on how your audience is most likely to contact you and what apps they use. WhatsApp is effective in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa where it is the dominant messaging platform. FaceTime is limited to Apple users and is not available on Android.

Location and Connectivity

Location codes encode GPS coordinates and open the device maps application with a pin at the exact position. They are accurate to within metres and work for any outdoor location, including venues that are difficult to describe by address. WiFi codes encode network credentials and connect the device automatically on scan, removing the need to read out or type a network name and password.

Calendar and Contact

Event codes encode an iCalendar entry that saves directly to the device calendar app. vCard codes encode a contact card that saves to the device address book. Both work completely offline. The data transfers from the code to the device with no network request and no server involved.

Payment Codes

Five payment types are supported, each designed for a specific platform or region. Crypto codes work with cryptocurrency wallet apps globally. PayPal codes link to a PayPal payment page and are accepted in over 200 countries. UPI codes work with Indian banking apps on the NPCI network. EPC codes are the SEPA bank transfer standard used in European Union countries. PIX codes are the Banco Central do Brasil standard used across Brazil.

Choose the payment type your recipients can actually complete. A PIX code does nothing outside Brazil. A UPI code requires an Indian bank account. Match the payment type to the geography and payment habits of your audience.

Static QR Codes

Every code generated here without an account is a static QR code. The data is embedded permanently in the QR pattern at the time of creation. Static codes have no expiry, no scan limit, and no server dependency for types that do not involve a web redirect. They continue working as long as the physical code remains intact and scannable.

If any encoded information changes after printing, a new code is needed. There is no way to edit a static QR code. A WiFi code becomes invalid when you change the network password. A phone code is wrong if you change numbers. A URL code points to a broken page if the destination URL goes offline. Plan before printing at scale.

QR Code Design and Scan Reliability

QR codes depend on contrast. The dark modules must be significantly darker than the background. Foreground color must always be darker than background color. Inverting this produces a code that most cameras cannot read. Very pale foregrounds against white backgrounds also fail. If you are unsure, test with the live preview before downloading.

Error correction level controls how much of the pattern can be obscured while still scanning. Level L allows 7% damage, level M allows 15%, level Q allows 25%, and level H allows 30%. Higher error correction lets you place a larger logo over the centre and still have the code scan cleanly. The trade-off is a denser pattern. For small print sizes, keep error correction at L or M for a cleaner, more reliable scan.

Minimum recommended print size is 2cm by 2cm for scanning at arm's length. For outdoor signage read from further away, scale proportionally. A billboard code seen from 10 metres needs to be at least 30cm by 30cm. Always test the printed code at the final display size before committing to a full print run.

Download Format Guide

PNG is a raster image format for digital placements such as websites, presentations, email, and social media. The image has a fixed pixel resolution. Enlarging a PNG significantly beyond its original size causes visible pixelation.

SVG is a vector format that scales to any size without quality loss. It is the correct choice for all printed materials, including business cards, packaging, labels, and signage. Any professional print shop can use an SVG file directly.

PDF is a print-ready document format. Some print services and software workflows require PDF rather than an image file. Use PDF when your output process requires a document format specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which QR code types work without an internet connection?

Text, Phone, SMS, Email, Location, WiFi, Event, and vCard all work without internet. The data lives entirely within the QR pattern and is read directly by the device. URL, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Crypto, PayPal, UPI, EPC, and PIX all require internet access to function because they open online applications or payment systems.

Can any smartphone scan these codes without an app?

iPhones running iOS 11 or later and Android phones running Android 8 or later scan standard QR codes using the built-in camera. No separate QR scanner app is required on these devices. Older Android phones may need a third-party scanner. WhatsApp codes require WhatsApp to be installed. FaceTime codes require FaceTime. WiFi codes use automatic network joining, which requires iOS 11 or Android 10 or later.

Does the type of QR code change how it looks?

No. All 16 types produce a standard square QR pattern. The visual appearance depends entirely on the design options: colors, dot style, corner style, and whether you add a logo. The type only determines what happens on scan, not how the code appears visually.

Can I change the type after creating a static QR code?

No. The type determines what data is encoded, and that data is fixed permanently in the pattern. Creating a different type requires generating a new code from scratch.