The QR Code & Barcode Guide

A practical, plain-English glossary of every format we support — what each one does, when to use it, and which mistakes to avoid. Bookmark this page; refer back when you are about to print a thousand labels.

Part 1 — QR Code Types

QR codes (Quick Response codes) are 2D matrix codes that store anywhere from a few characters to thousands. They scan from any angle, with any phone camera. The "type" of a QR code is determined by the structured text inside it — every modern smartphone recognizes the standard formats automatically.

URL / Website QR

The most common QR. Encodes a single web address. When scanned, the phone offers to open the link. Best for posters, packaging, and marketing materials. Create a URL QR →

vCard QR

A digital business card. Contains name, phone, email, company, title, and address. One scan adds the contact directly to the phone's address book. Create a vCard QR →

Wi-Fi QR

Encodes Wi-Fi credentials (SSID, password, encryption type). Scanning offers a one-tap "Join Network" prompt. Perfect for cafes, hotels, offices. Create a Wi-Fi QR →

Email QR

Pre-fills an email composer with recipient, subject, and body. Useful for support pages, feedback forms, and contact CTAs.

SMS QR

Pre-fills a text message with the destination number and an optional message. Common for restaurant ordering and quick contact.

Phone QR

Tap-to-call. Encodes a phone number; scanning opens the dialer with the number ready to call. Used by service businesses where the goal is to start a conversation.

Plain Text QR

Just text. No app interaction, no automatic action — the scanner displays the text. Useful for bin labels, treasure hunts, escape rooms, and educational materials.

Geo Location QR

Encodes GPS coordinates. Scanning opens a map app pinned to that location. Common for event venues, real estate listings, and tourism.

Bitcoin / Crypto QR

Encodes a cryptocurrency wallet address (and optional amount). Used for tipping, payments, and donations.

Part 2 — Barcode Formats

Barcodes — the parallel-line type — are 1D codes designed for industrial scanners and retail checkout. Each format has a specific purpose and history; choosing the wrong one can cause real-world problems.

EAN-13

13 digits. The global retail standard outside North America. Required by supermarkets across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The first 2-3 digits encode the country; the next 9-10 the manufacturer and product; the last is a check digit.

EAN-8

8 digits. A compact version of EAN-13 for small product packaging where a full 13-digit code does not fit.

UPC-A

12 digits. The North American equivalent of EAN-13. Required by US retailers — Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, and most US grocery chains. Compatible with EAN scanners worldwide.

UPC-E

A compressed 6-digit form of UPC-A for very small packaging — gum packs, lipstick, single-use cosmetics.

Code 128

Variable-length, alphanumeric, very high density. The workhorse of logistics: shipping labels, warehouse internal SKUs, package tracking, hospital wristbands. Encodes any ASCII character including letters, numbers, and punctuation.

Code 39

Older alphanumeric standard. Still required by US Department of Defense, automotive industry, and many healthcare applications. Less compact than Code 128 but extremely widely supported by old scanner hardware.

ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5)

14 digits. Printed on shipping cartons (corrugated boxes) to identify case quantities of consumer products. Designed to print well on rough cardboard surfaces.

Codabar

Numeric plus a few special characters. Used by libraries, blood banks, and FedEx air-bills. Self-checking, no separate check digit required.

MSI

Numeric only. Used for inventory shelving and warehouse management, where the codes are read by retail employees with handheld scanners.

Pharmacode

A specialized format for pharmaceutical packaging quality control. Encodes a single integer; designed to be read in either direction.

Part 3 — Error Correction Levels (QR codes)

QR codes have built-in error correction so they remain scannable even when partially damaged or obscured. Four levels:

• L (Low) — 7% recoverable. Use for digital screens, clean printing, no logo.
• M (Medium) — 15% recoverable. The default safe choice for most printing.
• Q (Quartile) — 25% recoverable. Use for outdoor signage, industrial labels.
• H (High) — 30% recoverable. Required when embedding a logo, or for surfaces likely to get scratched.

Part 4 — Quiet Zone Rules

Every code needs empty space around it — the "quiet zone" — so scanners can detect its boundaries.

• QR codes — at least 4 modules of empty space on each side.
• EAN/UPC — at least 9× the narrow bar width on each side.
• Code 128 — at least 10× the narrow bar width on each side.

Without a proper quiet zone, scans fail intermittently — often after thousands of codes are already printed.

Part 5 — Format Comparison Table

Part 6 — When You're Stuck

Three rules of thumb:

1. If a human will scan it with a phone — use a QR code.
2. If a machine will scan it at retail checkout — use UPC or EAN.
3. For everything else (warehouses, shipping, internal inventory) — use Code 128.

Then verify with our scanner before you commit to a print run. Five minutes of testing saves five hours of reprinting.

Create a QR Code Create a Barcode