What Is a QR Code and How It Works

QR codes (short for “Quick Response”) are two-dimensional barcodes that store data in a square pattern of dark and light modules. When a phone camera scans a QR, the device decodes the pattern and performs an action — opening a website, connecting to Wi-Fi, saving a contact (vCard), sending an email, and more.

Why QR codes are everywhere

• They scan instantly with built-in iOS and Android cameras.
• They hold more data than classic barcodes and still work when partially covered.
• They’re easy to print and share digitally.

Popular use cases

• Menus / PDFs: link to a digital menu or document.
• Wi-Fi: let guests join your network without typing a password.
• vCard: share your contact details from a business card.
• URL / Text: send people to a website or show a message.

Best practices

• Use strong contrast (dark foreground on light background).
• Keep a clear margin around the code (quiet zone of 2–4 modules).
• Test with multiple phones and lighting before printing at scale.

Ready to make one? Try the Free QR Code Generator — download as PNG for screens or SVG/PDF for sharp print at any size.