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Last updated: July 24, 2025
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Last updated: July 24, 2025
QR codes are everywhere, from restaurant menus and mobile payments to event tickets and business cards. But have you ever wondered how much information a QR code can actually hold?
In this guide, we’ll break down the maximum data capacity of QR codes, explain what affects that capacity, and offer best practices for making your codes efficient and scannable.
A QR code (short for Quick Response code) is a type of two dimensional barcode invented by Denso Wave in Japan in 1994. Unlike traditional barcodes, which store data horizontally, QR codes store data both vertically and horizontally, allowing for much higher information density.
The amount of information a QR code can hold depends on three main factors:
Let’s break these down.
Different types of content take up different amounts of space. Here’s a breakdown of the maximum storage capacity based on the data type:
| Data Type | Max Capacity (Version 40, Low Error Correction) |
|---|---|
| Numeric (0–9) | 7,089 characters |
| Alphanumeric (0–9, A–Z, space, $%*+-./:) | 4,296 characters |
| Binary (8-bit bytes) | 2,953 bytes |
| Kanji/Kana | 1,817 characters |
Note: These are maximum limits under optimal conditions (Version 40, Level L error correction). Real-world limits are usually lower.
There are 40 versions of QR codes, each increasing in size and data capacity:
Each version adds rows and columns (modules), allowing more data to be stored.
QR codes include error correction to remain scannable even if part of the code is damaged. There are four levels:
| Level | % of Code That Can Be Restored | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| L | 7% | High capacity, clean environments |
| M | 15% | Standard use |
| Q | 25% | Marketing or signage |
| H | 30% | Harsh conditions, logos embedded |
Higher error correction = less space for actual data
Here are the most common types of content stored in QR codes:
Plain Text
Short messages, trivia, or product codes.
URLs
Direct users to websites or landing pages. Use short URLs to avoid bulky codes.
Contact Info (vCard)
Add names, phone numbers, emails, and addresses, ideal for digital business cards.
Wi-Fi Login Details
Connect to Wi-Fi networks without typing passwords.
Event Info (iCal or Google Calendar)
Add events to calendars with one scan, useful for concerts, meetings, or conferences.
Prefilled Emails or SMS
Send templated messages or contact support with one scan.
Payment Details
Used for apps like PayPal, Google Pay, or bank transfers.
Small Files or Images (Not Recommended)
QR codes can technically store binary data, but the limits are tiny. It’s better to store a link to the file or image online.
No QR codes cannot directly store a movie. A movie file is typically hundreds of megabytes or gigabytes, while a QR code can hold just a few kilobytes at most. Instead. store a link to a YouTube video, cloud storage, or streaming page.
While QR codes can store thousands of characters, stuffing too much data into one leads to problems:
Follow these tips to maximize QR code usability and performance:
A QR code can store a surprising amount of data — from numbers and text to Wi-Fi credentials and payment details. However, the more compact and optimized your code is, the better the user experience will be.
Want to create your own QR code for any type of content? Try QR Code developer to generate custom QR codes in seconds for links, events, contact info, and more.
How many characters can a QR code hold?
Up to 7,089 numeric characters or 2,953 bytes of binary data depending on version and error correction.
Can I put a PDF or video file in a QR code?
Not directly. Instead, link to a file stored online.
What affects the storage limit of a QR code?
The type of data, QR code version, and error correction level.
Are dynamic QR codes different in storage capacity?
Yes, dynamic QR codes often store a short redirect URL that links to content stored online, so they appear smaller but are more flexible.