QR codes are everywhere, from product packaging to advertisements to restaurant menus. You scan one and it reveals some information.
What always puzzled me was how QR codes made by different companies never interfered with each other. I initially believed that a QR code had to query a central server to retrieve information before it could be of any use. However, I’ve learned that the data is actually embedded within the code itself, allowing them to function offline too.
QR codes are universal
Regardless of the tool you use to create a QR code, it will function and appear the same as one created with a different tool. Following an international standard ISO/IEC 18004, guarantees a QR code made in any part of the world will work anywhere else.
For an easy-to-understand breakdown of QR code standards, check out this video from ‘James Explains’:
This uniformity means that choosing the right QR generator isn’t crucial as I thought, as you’ll get consistent results.
However, certain settings can change the look of a QR code without affecting the information it holds.
QR code settings
Settings used during QR code generation can alter its appearance.
Identical settings across different providers will produce identical QR codes. Varying settings, on the other hand, will result in completely different appearances.
QR code setting options:
Error correction
QR codes are quite durable because they have built-in error correction. This means they can be read even if partly damaged or obscured. You have four different levels: low, medium, quartile, and high. The higher error correction level increases complexity, requiring more black squares in the code. Each level change will affect how the QR code looks.
Mask patterns
To make QR codes easier to scan without altering the stored data, mask patterns are employed. These aren’t just aesthetic changes; they’re practical adjustments that aid in scanning efficiency. There are 8 mask patterns, each one changing the look of the QR code.
Data formats
Depending on your needs, QR codes can carry various types of data:
- Numeric: Ideal for just numbers, can store up to 7,089 characters
- Alphanumeric: For numbers, letters, and a few symbols, can store up to 4,296 characters
- Binary: Suitable for any data type, with a maximum capacity of 2,953 bytes
- Kanji: For Japanese characters, can store up to 1,817 characters
Each data format will change the visual appearance.
Conclusion
QR codes work without clashing because they’re made according to international standards. In theory, any QR code generator should work, but they’re not all created equal. Some generators create a direct QR code from the data you provide, such as Adobe’s free QR generator. Others use their own intermediate links that redirect to your chosen URL. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs.
Regardless of which provider you choose, they should function properly. But the real decision lies in whether using QR codes is right for your purpose at all – a topic I’ll explore in a future post.
