Reference
What each QR code type actually encodes
A QR code is just a string of characters. The type you pick decides the format of that string — and the format is what tells the phone whether to dial, connect, save a contact or open a map.
| Type | What it does | Encoded as |
|---|---|---|
| URL | Open a website when the code is scanned. The most common QR code by far. | https://example.com |
| Text | Show plain text on the scanning device. Nothing is opened or downloaded. | Hello there |
| Open a pre-filled email draft addressed to you. | mailto:hi@example.com?subject=Hello | |
| Phone | Start a phone call to the number below. | tel:+15550100000 |
| SMS | Open the messaging app with your number and text already filled in. | SMSTO:+15550100000:Hi |
| Open a WhatsApp chat with a prepared message. | https://wa.me/15550100000?text=Hi | |
| vCard | A full digital business card that saves straight into the phone's contacts. | BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:Lovelace;Ada;;;
FN:Ada Lovelace
ORG:Analytical Engines
END:VCARD |
| MeCard | A shorter contact format. Produces a smaller, easier-to-scan code than vCard. | MECARD:N:Lovelace\,Ada;TEL:+15550100000;; |
| Location | Drop a pin on a map. Use a search term or exact coordinates. | geo:52.5163,13.3777 |
| Wi-Fi | Join a wireless network without typing the password. Ideal for cafés and offices. | WIFI:T:WPA;S:Cafe Guest;P:flatwhite;; |
| Event | Add an appointment to the calendar app on the scanning device. | BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Launch party
DTSTART:20260901T180000
DTEND:20260901T220000
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR |
| Crypto | A payment request wallets can read directly, with an optional amount. | bitcoin:bc1qexampleaddress?amount=0.01 |
| Send people to a Facebook page or profile. | https://facebook.com/yourpage | |
| X / Twitter | Open a profile, or pre-fill a post for people to share. | https://twitter.com/yourname |
| YouTube | Play a video or open a channel. | https://youtube.com/watch?v=xyz |
| Open an Instagram profile. | https://instagram.com/yourname | |
| Open a LinkedIn profile or company page. | https://linkedin.com/in/yourname | |
| App | Link to your app. Enter the store link you want scanners to land on. | https://apps.apple.com/app/id000000000 |
| PayPal | A PayPal.Me payment link, optionally with a fixed amount. | https://paypal.me/yourname/20USD |
vCard or MeCard?
vCard carries more fields and is understood everywhere, but it produces a long payload and therefore a dense code. MeCard encodes the same essentials in a fraction of the characters, which keeps the code sparse and easy to scan from a printed card. If you only need name, phone, email and website, prefer MeCard.
Keep the payload short
Every extra character adds modules, and more modules means each one is physically smaller at the same print size. Trimming tracking parameters off a URL often does more for scannability than any design change.