Complete QR Code Guide

Everything you need to know about QR codes — types, use cases, design tips, and printing best practices. Pick the right QR code for your needs and create it for free in QR Studio.

18 Types of QR Codes

Each type encodes data in a different format. Choose the one that best fits your goal.

URL

Encodes a web address. The most common type — after scanning, the browser opens the page directly.

Text

Encodes plain text — a message, note, serial number, or any short information.

E-mail

Opens a new email with pre-filled recipient, subject, and body. Handy for support or contact.

Phone

Starts a phone call to the specified number. Great for business cards and ads.

SMS

Opens a new SMS with pre-filled number and message. Useful for opt-in, voting, or quick replies.

Wi-Fi

Connects to a Wi-Fi network automatically — no need to type the password. Perfect for cafes, hotels, and offices.

vCard

Encodes a full contact card — name, phone, email, company, address. Saves directly to the phone's contacts.

Location

Encodes GPS coordinates. After scanning, the map opens at the specified location. Ideal for events and businesses.

QR Payment (CZ)

Czech payment QR in SPD format — encodes bank account, amount, and variable symbol. Supported by all Czech banks.

SEPA

European bank transfer in EPC QR format. Encodes IBAN, amount, and payment reference. Used across Eurozone.

Event

Creates a calendar event in iCalendar format — with date, time, location, and description. One scan adds it to the calendar.

PayPal

PayPal payment or donation. Encodes recipient, amount, and note. Useful for quick payments and fundraising.

Crypto

Cryptocurrency payment (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.). Encodes wallet address, amount, and message.

Opens WhatsApp chat with pre-filled number and message. Great for customer support or direct contact.

Opens Telegram chat or profile. Supports phone number or username.

App / Store

Link to an app in Google Play or App Store. Opens the app page directly.

Meeting

Link to an online meeting (Zoom, Teams, Meet). Encodes meeting ID, password, or URL.

Social profile

Link to a social media profile (Instagram, Facebook, etc.). Encodes username or profile URL.

How to Choose the Right QR Code Type

Link to a webpage? → URL. The simplest and most universal type.Odkaz na webovou stránku? → URL. Nejjednodušší a nejuniverzálnější typ.
Share a contact? → vCard. All info in one scan.Sdílení kontaktu? → vCard. Všechny údaje jedním skenováním.
Share Wi-Fi password? → Wi-Fi. Guests connect without typing.Sdílení Wi-Fi hesla? → Wi-Fi. Hosté se připojí bez zadávání.
Accept a payment? → QR Payment (CZ) or SEPA (EU). Direct bank transfer.Přijmout platbu? → QR Platba (CZ) nebo SEPA (EU). Přímý bankovní převod.
Invite to an event? → Event. The date goes straight to the calendar.Pozvánka na akci? → Událost. Datum se uloží přímo do kalendáře.

Design Best Practices

Contrast matters most. Dark modules on a light background. Avoid light colors on light, or inverted QR codes.Kontrast je nejdůležitější. Tmavé moduly na světlém pozadí. Vyhněte se světlým barvám na světlém nebo invertovaným QR kódům.
Quiet zone. Always keep a margin around the QR code (at least 4 modules). Without it, scanners may have trouble.Tichá zóna. Vždy ponechte okraj kolem QR kódu (minimálně 4 moduly). Bez něj mohou mít skenery problémy.
Logo size. A logo in the center should not exceed 25 % of the QR code area. QR Studio automatically switches to high error correction (H) when a logo is added.Velikost loga. Logo ve středu by nemělo přesáhnout 25 % plochy QR kódu. QR Studio automaticky přepne na vysokou chybovou korekci (H) při přidání loga.
Test before printing. Always verify your QR code with a real phone camera. QR Studio includes an automatic readability check.Otestujte před tiskem. Vždy ověřte QR kód skutečným fotoaparátem telefonu. QR Studio obsahuje automatickou kontrolu čitelnosti.

Printing Tips

Minimum size: 2 × 2 cm for print. For billboards and large formats, use SVG or PDF export.Minimální velikost: 2 × 2 cm pro tisk. Pro billboardy a velké formáty použijte export do SVG nebo PDF.
Format: SVG for unlimited scaling, PDF for print-ready output, PNG for digital use.Formát: SVG pro neomezené zvětšování, PDF pro tiskový výstup, PNG pro digitální použití.
Material: Avoid highly reflective surfaces. Matte paper works best for scanning.Materiál: Vyhněte se vysoce lesklým povrchům. Matný papír funguje nejlépe pro skenování.
Placement: QR code should be at eye level and easily reachable by a phone camera.Umístění: QR kód by měl být v úrovni očí a snadno dosažitelný fotoaparátem telefonu.

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