Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about QR codes, from basic concepts to advanced implementations.

What is a QR Code?

A QR Code is a 2-D square-shaped black and white barcode that can be read by smartphones. QR Codes store information that can be used to make a call, send a message/email, open a website, or even redirect to a location.

A QR Code can store up to 4296 characters or 7089 digits in a single code making it viable to hold large amounts of content.

What does QR stand for?

QR stands for Quick Response. QR Codes are capable of being scanned within a couple of seconds, and hence the name.

How does a QR Code work?

QR codes encode information using a combination of black and white squares arranged in a specific pattern.

When a user scans a QR code using a compatible device or a third-party app, the camera captures the code’s image.

The decoding software analyzes the pattern to extract the encoded data.

They can use the data to display text, open a website, save contact details, or perform other designated actions.

How do I generate a QR Code?

QR Codes can be generated online in a hassle-free and inexpensive method. Use a QR Code generator like ZenoQR to create any kind of QR Codes.

  1. Select a QR Code generator
  2. Choose between static and dynamic QR Codes
  3. Select the type of QR Code to be generated
  4. Enter the relevant information
  5. Customize the QR Code
  6. Generate and test the QR Code online
  7. Download it in any of the formats (JPG, SVG, EPS, or PNG)

Can QR Codes be customized?

Yes, QR Codes can be customized to any desired color, pattern, and template depending on the requirement. However, remember that only dynamic QR Codes can be edited after creating them.

Static QR Codes can be customized but there is no opportunity to edit them after downloading them.

What is a static QR Code and dynamic QR Code?

To put it simply, static QR Codes are uneditable after creating them; dynamic QR Codes are editable. Not just that, dynamic QR Codes can be tracked, analyzed, set landing pages, and can be customized as and when required.

Can QR Codes be edited ?

Once QR Codes are created, only dynamic QR Codes can be edited. Static QR Codes cannot be edited once they are created.

How do I create a free QR Code?

There are several free QR Code generators in the market to create a free QR Code. ZenoQR free QR Code generator offers a robust experience and multiple features to create the best quality free QR Code.

QR Codes are free up to a certain extent. If choosing a static QR Code, they are free for unlimited use. If choosing a dynamic QR Code, they are free as long as the free trial period persists.

Are QR Codes free?

Static QR Codes are free, whereas dynamic QR Codes are not.

Static QR Codes can neither be edited nor have the advanced functionality to leverage them for the fullest capacity, whereas dynamic QR Codes have multiple advanced features to help with your campaigns.

Are QR Code generators safe?

Yes. Creating and downloading QR Codes on a suspicious website could lead to downloading malware. However, Using safe QR Code generators such as ZenoQR can prevent this from happening.

What are the elements in a QR Code?

There are four main elements in a QR Code –

  1. Positioning marking
  2. This indicates the direction in which the QR Code is printed. This insinuates that even if your camera is tilted at an angle, it will still scan the QR Code.

  3. Alignment marking
  4. This basically helps a QR Code with its alignment to be able to be scanned without any errors.

  5. Timing pattern
  6. This basically helps the QR Code scanner to gauge the size of the data matrix in the QR Code.

  7. Quiet zone
  8. This is a vital part of a QR Code. A QR Code’s quiet zone helps differentiate the QR Code scanner from its surroundings

Do QR Codes have to be black and white?

It’s a common myth that QR Codes have to only be black and white. You can change QR Codes to any color to make them look more appealing. As a rule of thumb, always remember to use contrasting colors to not interfere with the QR Code’s scannability.

How does a dynamic QR Code work?

Dynamic QR Codes cannot be differentiated from static QR Codes, in terms of looks. However, the functionality differs drastically.

For a dynamic QR Code to function as a dynamic QR Code, a short URL is assigned to the QR Code and separate landing pages are created based on the time, location, and device to be used.

These codes redirect the user to different landing pages based on the protocol set by the user on the dynamic QR Code generator‘s dashboard.

What does a QR Code cost?

Static QR Codes are absolutely free of charge. Dynamic QR Codes are free until the free trial period is over and once it is over, they are chargeable.

Who invented the QR Codes?

The QR Codes were invented by the Japanese company Denso Waves in 1994 to track vehicles during manufacturing for a unit of Toyota automobiles. They were designed to permit high-speed component scanning.

Are QR Codes free for commercial use?

Yes. Once the QR Codes are downloaded, they can be used for any purpose, including commercial use.

Using a dynamic QR Code will also be helpful in changing the data as and when required to suit the requirements of the company.

What does a QR Code tell you?

Upon scanning a QR Code, users will be taken to the corresponding destination URL depending on the campaign as there are various types of QR Codes available – website QR Code, vCard QR Code, PDF QR Code, social media QR Code, location QR Code, and many more..

How many characters can a QR Code hold?

A QR Code can store up to 4,296 characters or 7,089 digits in a single code, making it viable to hold large amounts of content.

How to scan a QR Code on an Android phone without an app?

Smartphones with Android 9 and above have an in-built QR Code scanner in their cameras, thanks to Google Lens

To activate Google Lens, open the camera app and click on settings to activate Google Lens suggestions to scan QR Codes.

For smartphones with Android 8, point the camera at a QR Code and long-press the home button, and click on ‘What’s on my screen?’ to see the contents of the QR Code.

For smartphones with Android 7 and below, a separate third-party app is required to scan QR Codes.

Pixel smartphones come with an in-built Google Lens option in their cameras.

To scan with the camera, simply point the camera at a QR Code and click on the URL displayed by the QR Code.

To scan a QR Code with Google Lens, open Google Assistant and click on the Google Lens symbol to activate it.

How to scan a QR Code with an iPhone?

With iOS 11, Apple introduced native QR Code readers in their range of smartphones in the camera, expelling the need to download a third-party app to scan QR Codes.

With iOS 12 and 13, Apple added the QR Code reader in its Control Center for easy accessibility.

To scan a QR Code with an iPhone, simply point the QR Code with the camera or click on the QR Code reader from the Control Center to read the contents of the QR Code.