00 / FEATURE

15+ QR Code
Types.

Every QR code type in one place. URL, vCard, WiFi, PayPal link, PDF, maps, and more, each with a note on when to reach for it.

Browse Types View Pricing
FORMAT INDEX
15+
distinct payload formats
01 / WHAT

One symbol, many payloads.

QR code types are naming conventions for the text encoded inside a QR code. The symbol is always the same. The payload format tells the phone how to interpret what it reads.

A QR code is a container. What you put inside decides what happens when someone scans it. A plain URL opens a browser. A vCard opens the contact app. A WiFi string joins a network. These are all QR code types, and they all use the same underlying symbol from the QR code specification.

The reason types exist is that phones look for specific prefixes when they read a QR code. A string starting with BEGIN:VCARD tells the phone to offer a contact save. A string starting with WIFI: tells it to offer to join a network. A string starting with mailto: opens an email draft. Pick the right prefix and the scan turns into a single action instead of a page of raw text.

Not every QR code type is a protocol. Some are just convenience URLs. A PayPal QR code is a link to a PayPal.me page. A YouTube QR code is a link to a video. A maps QR code is a link that opens the installed maps app. These are all URL QR codes at heart, dressed up with a purpose.

Most QR code types are available as both static and dynamic. A static QR encodes the payload directly, so it cannot change. A dynamic QR encodes a short link that forwards to the payload, which means you can edit the destination later. Dynamic codes are useful for anything printed, because the print run is cheap compared to the cost of reprinting when the destination moves.

Below you will find a full list of the fifteen types we generate, each with a quick note on when it is the right choice. If you already know you want to track scans, pair any of these with a dynamic QR code with tracking.

02 / THE INDEX

Fifteen QR code types, one by one.

T.01

URL

Opens any web address. The most common type and the basis for most dynamic campaigns.
T.02

vCard

Full contact card with name, phone, email, company, and address. Saves straight to the phone book.
T.03

MeCard

Lightweight contact format with just the essentials. Produces a smaller QR than vCard.
T.04

WiFi

Joins a network when scanned. Perfect for cafes, offices, and guest rooms.
T.05

Email

Opens a pre-filled email draft with recipient, subject, and body ready to send.
T.06

SMS

Opens a text message draft with the recipient and body pre-filled.
T.07

Phone

Dials a phone number directly when the scanner confirms.
T.08

PDF

Opens a hosted PDF document. Great for menus, brochures, and manuals.
T.09

Maps

Drops a pin at a chosen location in the phone's default maps app.
T.10

Event

Adds an event to the calendar with title, date, time, and location.
T.11

Facebook

Opens a Facebook page or post in the app or browser.
T.12

Twitter

Opens a Twitter profile or tweet.
T.13

YouTube

Plays a specific video in the YouTube app or browser.
T.14

Text

Displays plain text on the phone, with no link or action attached.
T.15

PayPal

Opens a PayPal.me link so someone can send a payment through PayPal.
03 / PICKING

How to pick the right type.

01

Start from the action

Ask what you want the person to do right after they scan. Open a page, save a contact, join a network, send a payment. The action maps to the type.

02

Decide if it will change

If the destination will ever move, pick a dynamic version so you can edit it later without reprinting whatever the QR is on.

03

Mind the density

Longer payloads create denser patterns. vCard with every field is dense. A short URL is sparse and scans faster from further away.

04 / USE CASES

Pairing types with situations.

U.01

Business card

vCard for the full profile, or a URL pointing to your portfolio. vCard saves directly; URL gives you room to update the page.

U.02

Cafe counter

WiFi for guest access, URL for the menu, PayPal for tips. Three small cards on the counter, one per type.

U.03

Event flyer

Event type to add the session to a calendar, maps type to drop the venue pin, URL for the schedule.

U.04

Product packaging

PDF for the manual, YouTube for the setup video, URL for the support page. One QR per box face.

05 / FAQ

Questions.

Q.01 How many QR code types are there?
In practical use there are about fifteen common QR code types, each built around a different payload: URL, vCard, MeCard, WiFi, email, SMS, phone, PDF, maps, event, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, plain text, and PayPal link.
Q.02 Which QR code type is the most popular?
URL is by far the most common because almost anything on the web can be reached through a link. Everything else is a convenience format built on top of standard text encoding.
Q.03 What is the difference between vCard and MeCard?
Both encode contact details. vCard is the richer international standard with full fields like job title and multiple phone numbers. MeCard is a lighter format that covers the basics and produces a smaller QR code.
Q.04 Do all phones scan every QR code type?
The underlying QR specification is universal, so any camera can read any type. What varies is what the phone does with the result. Modern iOS and Android handle URL, vCard, WiFi, email, SMS, phone, and maps natively.
Q.05 Which QR code type should I pick for a menu?
A URL QR code pointing at a hosted menu page is usually the best choice because you can update the page without reprinting. A PDF QR code works well when the menu is fixed and designed as a document.
06 / RELATED
R.01

URL QR Generator

Create a QR code that opens any web address when scanned.
R.02

PayPal QR Generator

Generate a QR code that opens a PayPal.me link.
R.03

PDF QR Code Generator

Turn any PDF into a QR code that opens the file on scan.
07 / START

Pick a type. Make a QR.

Fifteen formats, one generator. Free to try, no account required.

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