How much information can a QR code contain?

One of the standout features of QR codes compared to other types of encoding is their ability to store a vast amount of information. Unlike traditional barcodes, which are limited to just 20 characters, QR codes can contain a much greater amount of data. This makes them perfectly suited for a wide range of applications, virtually without any foreseeable limitations. Are you interested in the capacity limits of a QR code? Let's delve deeper into this topic.

What amount of information can a QR code contain?

QR codes are increasingly finding their place in our daily lives. They are especially actively used in the field of digital payments, allowing for direct and contactless transactions with ease. Moreover, QR codes have found their application in such unexpected areas as marketing. On the packaging of many products, you can see QR codes created using the best QR code generators, which after scanning, offer various functions: from leading to the brand's social media pages to providing more necessary information. All this thanks to the versatility of this technology. Considering its application in everyday tasks, it's hard to imagine a situation where a QR code cannot fulfill its functions. Regardless of where the QR code redirects and what specific task it performs, it always ensures the storage of necessary information, making them an ideal solution for use on electronic business cards.

So, what is the capacity of a QR code? Or what are its limits?

When talking about limits, we mean the amount of data that a QR code can contain. The maximum size of a QR code is 177x177 elements, which allows up to 31,329 elements for encoding data. This enables encoding up to 3 KB of information, equivalent to 7089 numeric characters or 4269 alphanumeric characters. Thanks to the development by Japanese engineer Hara Masahiro, QR codes also support Kanji/Kana characters, accommodating up to 1817 of such characters.

Is this volume of data sufficient?

Although 3 KB may seem like a small amount, it's more than enough for carrying out many tasks. QR codes do not require capacity in megabytes or gigabytes for their applications and stored information. For example, the primary task of QR codes is to redirect to a target link, while the average length of a website URL is 40-50 characters, and rarely ever exceeds 100 characters. Thus, the limit of 4269 characters is considered excessive for most tasks.

Comparison of data capacity of QR code with Data Matrix code

QR codes are not the only type of two-dimensional codes available today. Another popular type is the Data Matrix code. At first glance, both codes look similar, representing a collection of pixels within a square. However, upon closer examination, key differences can be noticed that affect the physical limits of these systems. The three large squares at the corners of the QR code serve as alignment patterns, whereas the Data Matrix code has a border in the form of a solid black L-shaped frame. These differences also affect data volume limitations: the maximum number of numeric characters for a QR code is 7089, while for a Data Matrix code, it's only 3116 characters. In terms of alphanumeric characters, the Data Matrix code lags with 2335 characters and does not support other language types. Thus, QR codes present a superior alternative when considering data volume limitations, whereas Data Matrix codes do not possess the same versatility.