QR Code & GS1 QR Code

Description of QR Code & GS1 QR Code

QR Code & GS1 QR CodeThe QR code is a modern square 2D code. QR Code stands for Quick Response Code. The name reflects its ability to be quickly scanned and decoded, providing users with instant access to the information encoded within the code.
The marks in three of the four corners of the matrix provide the orientation. Due to automatic error correction, the QR code is very robust and therefore widespread.

Which of the numerous types should I use to create a QR Code?
Usually you simply select the QR Code type. This will generate the smallest possible QR Code.

If you want to work with a fixed error correction, please select one of the following 4 types:
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL L : 7% of the data can be restored.
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL M : 15% of the data can be restored.
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL Q : 25% of the data can be restored.
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL H : 30% of the data can be restored.
These 4 types use fixed error correction and create the smallest possible code depending on the data to encode.

Alternatively, you can specify the symbol size if you need a constant size. Select one of the types with fixed-size for this purpose, e.g. QR Code 45x45. The error correction is then selected automatically as good as possible depending on the amount of data.

List of the QR Code symbol sizes, complete with examples.Link
Each of these represents a different symbol size of the QR Code code. The choice determines how much data can be encoded and how large the code will appear.
Each of these represents a different symbol size of the QR Code. The choice determines how much data can be encoded and how large the code will appear.

Smaller symbols (e.g. 21x21, 25x25) can hold less data but take up less space. Larger symbols can store more characters or additional GS1 elements.

If your data content always stays short, then using a smaller symbol is perfectly fine. If you later add more information, you'll need to select a larger version so the data still fits.

The choice partly depends on the amount of data and partly on the available space. ActiveBarcode automatically ensures that whichever size you pick still produces a valid, scannable QR Code.

If you choose a fixed type such as 65x65, that specific symbol size will be enforced, even if a smaller and more compact code would also work.

ActiveBarcode offers five automatic types: AUTO, ECC Level L, ECC Level M, ECC Level Q and ECC Level H. These always select the smallest possible symbol size that can accommodate all your data.
If you want to work with a fixed error correction, please select one of the following 4 types:
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL L : 7% of the data can be restored.
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL M : 15% of the data can be restored.
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL Q : 25% of the data can be restored.
  • QR Code ECC LEVEL H : 30% of the data can be restored.
These 4 types use fixed error correction and create the smallest possible code depending on the data to encode.

QR Code
QR Code AUTO
Typeno: 113
Code: QRCODE

QR Code
QR Code ECC Level L
Typeno: 114
Code: QRCODEECCLEVELL

QR Code
QR Code ECC Level M
Typeno: 115
Code: QRCODEECCLEVELM

QR Code
QR Code ECC Level Q
Typeno: 116
Code: QRCODEECCLEVELQ

QR Code
QR Code ECC Level H
Typeno: 117
Code: QRCODEECCLEVELH

QR Code
QR Code 21x21
Typeno: 118
Code: QRCODE21X21

QR Code
QR Code 25x25
Typeno: 119
Code: QRCODE25X25

QR Code
QR Code 29x29
Typeno: 120
Code: QRCODE29X29

QR Code
QR Code 33x33
Typeno: 121
Code: QRCODE33X33

QR Code
QR Code 37x37
Typeno: 122
Code: QRCODE37X37

QR Code
QR Code 41x41
Typeno: 123
Code: QRCODE41X41

QR Code
QR Code 45x45
Typeno: 124
Code: QRCODE45X45

QR Code
QR Code 49x49
Typeno: 125
Code: QRCODE49X49

QR Code
QR Code 53x53
Typeno: 126
Code: QRCODE53X53

QR Code
QR Code 57x57
Typeno: 127
Code: QRCODE57X57

QR Code
QR Code 61x61
Typeno: 128
Code: QRCODE61X61

QR Code
QR Code 65x65
Typeno: 129
Code: QRCODE65X65

QR Code
QR Code 69x69
Typeno: 130
Code: QRCODE69X69

QR Code
QR Code 73x73
Typeno: 131
Code: QRCODE73X73

QR Code
QR Code 77x77
Typeno: 132
Code: QRCODE77X77

QR Code
QR Code 81x81
Typeno: 133
Code: QRCODE81X81

QR Code
QR Code 85x85
Typeno: 134
Code: QRCODE85X85

QR Code
QR Code 89x89
Typeno: 135
Code: QRCODE89X89

QR Code
QR Code 93x93
Typeno: 136
Code: QRCODE93X93

QR Code
QR Code 97x97
Typeno: 137
Code: QRCODE97X97

QR Code
QR Code 101x101
Typeno: 138
Code: QRCODE101X101

QR Code
QR Code 105x105
Typeno: 139
Code: QRCODE105X105

QR Code
QR Code 109x109
Typeno: 140
Code: QRCODE109X109

QR Code
QR Code 113x113
Typeno: 141
Code: QRCODE113X113

QR Code
QR Code 117x117
Typeno: 142
Code: QRCODE117X117

QR Code
QR Code 121x121
Typeno: 143
Code: QRCODE121X121

QR Code
QR Code 125x125
Typeno: 144
Code: QRCODE125X125

QR Code
QR Code 129x129
Typeno: 145
Code: QRCODE129X129

QR Code
QR Code 133x133
Typeno: 146
Code: QRCODE133X133

QR Code
QR Code 137x137
Typeno: 147
Code: QRCODE137X137

QR Code
QR Code 141x141
Typeno: 148
Code: QRCODE141X141

QR Code
QR Code 145x145
Typeno: 149
Code: QRCODE145X145

QR Code
QR Code 149x149
Typeno: 150
Code: QRCODE149X149

QR Code
QR Code 153x153
Typeno: 151
Code: QRCODE153X153

QR Code
QR Code 157x157
Typeno: 152
Code: QRCODE157X157

QR Code
QR Code 161x161
Typeno: 153
Code: QRCODE161X161

QR Code
QR Code 165x165
Typeno: 154
Code: QRCODE165X165

QR Code
QR Code 169x169
Typeno: 155
Code: QRCODE169X169

QR Code
QR Code 173x173
Typeno: 156
Code: QRCODE173X173

QR Code
QR Code 177x177
Typeno: 157
Code: QRCODE177X177



Many use cases have developed around the QR code. The international organization GS1 plays a crucial role in the world of product identification and supply chain management and uses the QR code. Encoding URLs, WiFi passwords, GEO locations and vCards are just some examples. They all use the QR code to encode this data, and it's just a matter of formatting that data. Sometimes you just need to start the text with a special tag:
  • ActiveBarcode: QR Code with GS1 Application IdentifiersGS1 Application Identifier (AI):
    To encode GS1, start with the special sequence ]Q3.
    When using application identifiers, omit the parentheses.
    Say you want to encode:
    (01)01234567890128(15)051231 you have to set the text as: ]Q3010123456789012815051231.

    ActiveBarcode: QR Code with GS1 Application Identifiers and variable data lengthOnly if the application identifier has a variable data length like (30) Count of items the data has to be closed with <GS> to signal the end of that specific application identifier. Say you want to encode:
    (30)19<GS>(21)12345678912 you have to set the text as: ]Q33019<GS>2112345678912.

    Scanning these QR Codes with GS1 application identifier will decode all application identifiers as desired: List of Application Identifiers

  • ActiveBarcode: QR Code demo URLshttps://
    If you want to encode an URL you'll use this format:
    https://www.activebarcode.com.
    If you scan that QR Code with your smartphone you can visit that URL directly without entering that URL.
  • ActiveBarcode: QR Code demo for GEO location format. Maps to the Reichstag Building in Berlin.geo:
    If you want to encode a GEO location you'll use this format:
    geo:52.5186234,13.3739932.
    If you scan that QR Code with your smartphone you can visit that place with the maps application.
  • vCard:
    If you want to encode a vCard you can use this as a template to start with. If you scan that QR Code with your smartphone you can add the encoded data to your contacts.
    BEGIN:VCARD<LF>
    VERSION:2.1<LF>
    N:Gump;Forrest<LF>
    FN:Forrest Gump<LF>
    ORG:Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.<LF>
    TITLE:Shrimp Man<LF>
    PHOTO;GIF:http://www.example.com/dir_photos/my_photo.gif<LF>
    TEL;WORK;VOICE:(111) 555-1212<LF>
    TEL;HOME;VOICE:(404) 555-1212<LF>
    ADR;WORK:;;100 Waters Edge;Baytown;LA;30314;United States of America<LF>
    LABEL;WORK;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:100 Waters Edge=0D=0ABaytown, LA 30314=0D=0AUnited States of America<LF>
    ADR;HOME:;;42 Plantation St.;Baytown;LA;30314;United States of America<LF>
    LABEL;HOME;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:42 Plantation St.=0D=0ABaytown, LA 30314=0D=0AUnited States of America<LF>
    EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:[email protected]<LF>
    REV:20080424T195243Z<LF>
    END:VCARD
    Video: How to add a vCard QR code into an image.

    Link to the REST API to demo how to create such barcode.
    ActiveBarcode: QR Code demo for vCard.

QR Code is registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED. Intensive technical background information can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code. echo '';

Technical data

Valid characters: ASCII 1-255
Length: Variable with no fixed length.
Check digit: Calculated according to Reed-Solomon-Error correction
ActiveBarcode calculates the check digit automatically.
Type#: QR Code - #113 - QRCODE
List of all symbol sizes
Info: This barcode types has no human readable text based on the specification. The ShowText property has no effect, when using one of this codes.

Other types...

Want to learn about other barcode types?