QR Code Glossary

Quick Response code — a two-dimensional barcode storing text (a link, payment instruction, WiFi credentials) as a grid of dark and light squares readable by any phone camera.

A code that encodes its content directly in the pattern. Works forever and offline; can never be edited. Best for permanent data like WiFi passwords and vCards.

A code that encodes a short redirect link. The printed pattern never changes while the destination can be edited anytime, and every scan can be counted — the standard for printed marketing.

One small square in the QR grid — the QR equivalent of a pixel. More content means more modules, which means the code needs a larger print to stay scannable.

The three large squares in the corners. They tell the scanner where the code is and which way it's rotated — the reason QRs scan at any angle.

The mandatory empty margin around a QR code (at least 4 modules wide). Designs that crop it are the most common cause of unscannable print.

Redundant data (Reed–Solomon coding) built into every QR, at levels L/M/Q/H recovering 7–30% damage. It's what lets a scratched or logo-covered code still scan.

A brand logo placed over the middle of a QR, made possible by error correction. Kept under ~20% of the code's area with high correction, it scans reliably.

A payment code encoding a upi:// string with the payee's VPA. Any UPI app (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM) can scan any standard UPI QR — receiving money never requires a PIN.

Virtual Payment Address — the name@bank identifier money is sent to, e.g. shop@okaxis. What a payment QR actually contains.

A code encoding a contact card (name, phone, email, company) in vCard format. Scanning offers one-tap 'Save contact' — works fully offline.

A code encoding network name, password and security type in the WIFI: format. Phones join the network directly on scan — no typing.

The compact URL a dynamic QR encodes (like indiaqrcode.com/r/abc123). The scan hits this link, gets counted, and forwards to the current destination.

Per-code data collected on dynamic QR scans: when, from which device and OS, and from which city — turning print placements into measurable channels.

A mobile page the QR platform hosts for you — a menu, link page or review prompt — so the code works without you running a website.

QR phishing: fraudulent codes on fake notices or stickers leading to lookalike payment or login pages. Defence: read the URL and payee name after scanning.

Pasting a fraudster's payment QR over a shop's genuine code so customers unknowingly pay the wrong account. Defence: laminate codes and glance at them daily.

The chosen redundancy level — L (7%), M (15%), Q (25%), H (30%). Higher levels survive more damage but make denser codes.

Creating many codes at once (one per product, table or outlet) so each carries its own analytics and editable destination.

Print quality and sizing guidance: a QR should be at least one-tenth of its intended scanning distance in width — 3 cm for tabletop, 50 cm for hoardings.