Online QR Code Reader/Scanner

QR codes can now be seen in newspapers, magazines, flyers, posters, and more. You can easily notice QR codes around you. It allows you to interact with the world using your smartphones, tablets, or computers.

Every year, a significant portion of the $5.5 trillion in payments made via mobile devices in China is processed through QR codes in various applications.

What is a QR code?

QR code stands for "Quick Response". It is a two-dimensional barcode readable by smartphones, tablets, and computers (with a webcam).

A QR code contains information accessible in two dimensions: horizontal and vertical. It has black squares and dots with various fuzzy patterns arranged in a square grid on a white background. Information is extracted from these blurry patterns.

QR codes can contain links (to websites, videos, or files), email addresses, text, phone numbers, vCards, and more.

Denso Wave invented the QR code in 1994. However, it became famous due to its ability to store large amounts of data. A single barcode can encode 4296 alphanumeric characters.

What is a QR code scanner or reader?

A QR code scanner or reader is an optical scanning device capable of reading QR codes. Most smartphones and tablets have built-in QR code scanners in their cameras. However, to scan a QR code from a PC, you ll need a webcam. This means you can point the camera at the QR code and be able to scan and read it.

When you scan a QR code, you gain immediate access to its content. The QR code reader can act on scanning the QR code, such as opening a website URL in your browser. Other actions might include saving a contact card to your smartphone’s task list, connecting to a wireless network, or performing any other actions specified by the QR code.

How to use a QR scanner?

Most smartphones and tablets have a built-in QR code scanning feature. However, you can also download apps available online for this purpose.

But scanning a QR code from a PC can look a little strange. But sometimes you have to do it. There s no point in pulling out your smartphone or tablet to scan a QR code from your computer screen and view it on a small device, especially if you re in front of a large screen.

How to scan a QR code?

The process of scanning a QR code from your PC is simple. Follow these steps.

• Open the QR scanner – QR code reader.
• The tool allows you to either upload an image or use the webcam (connected to your PC) to scan the QR code.
• Point the webcam at the QR code that you want to scan, and that s it.

When you scan a QR code with us, you will be asked to grant our QR code scanner permission to access your PC s webcam.

What to do if the QR code is not working?

There may be several reasons why our QR code reader cannot read the code.

• Suppose you generated the QR code yourself. Check the entered data. Sometimes, minor errors when entering a URL can corrupt the QR code.
• Most QR codes contain a lot of information. Try reducing it. This helps the QR code scanner read the data better.
• Remove the logo from the QR code and check if this helps.
• The foreground should be darker than the background in the QR code. It is highly recommended that the QR code be black on a white background.
• Check the size of the QR code – the scanning distance and the amount of data encoded matter.

How to calculate the correct size of my QR code?

The formula for determining the ideal size based on the scanning distance is as follows.

QR code size (width in inches or cm) = scanning distance width (in inches or cm) ÷ 10

Suppose you need a QR code for a flyer, and the distance between the flyer and the scanning device is 12 inches (one foot). Then, the minimum size of the QR code will be 1.2 inches.

The formula for determining the ideal size based on the amount of data to be encoded.

QR code size (width in inches or cm) = (scanning distance (in inches or cm) * number of rows and columns) / 250

Here, the number of rows and columns of modules is determined by the version number.

• Version 1 has 21 rows and 21 columns of modules.
• Version 2 has 25 rows and 25 columns of modules.
• ...
• Version 40 has 177 rows and 177 columns of modules.

The version number ranges from 1 to 40.

Typically, a dynamic business card QR code contains about 33 rows and columns of data. And if the scanning distance is 0.5 feet or maybe 6 inches, then the minimum size of the QR code will be 0.8 inches.

Can QR codes be hacked?

No one can hack a QR code. There are no security flaws, but you can replace a QR code with another one. Users might think they are scanning a QR code from a trusted company, but it leads them to malicious content.

Or create a QR code that leads to phishing or malicious content.

You should be cautious before scanning a QR code. So you don t become a victim of this malicious content.

Take the following steps to improve the security of your QR code.

• Do not scan a QR code if you have doubts.
• Before scanning a QR code, ask yourself whether the company looks legitimate or if the design of the code looks professional.
• Most QR code readers now show the link address before opening it in the web browser. Check the target page, ensure the target URL looks authentic.
• Check the material. Is the QR code on the flyer, product, newspaper, or magazine part of the original design? Or is it a sticker on top?