How much can a QR code hold?

The maximum

QR codes come in 40 sizes, called versions. Version 1 is a grid of 21 × 21 squares. Version 40 is 177 × 177.

At the largest size, with the lowest error correction, one code holds at most:

Kind of text	Most it can hold
Digits only (0–9)	7,089
Capital letters, digits and a few symbols (space $ % * + - . / :)	4,296
Any text (bytes)	2,953 bytes

We checked these limits with the same QR engine QRVivid uses.

Why “bytes”, not letters?

Normal text is stored as bytes. Plain English letters take 1 byte each. Accented letters like é take 2. Many Chinese or Japanese characters take 3. Emoji usually take 4. So the real limit depends on what you type.

Lowercase letters and most punctuation also count as bytes. That is why a normal web link uses the “any text” limit.

Error correction lowers the limit

A code can store spare data so it still scans when part of it is damaged or covered. More spare data means less room for your text. At the highest level (H), the largest code holds about 1,273 bytes, not 2,953.

Codes with a logo or a photo use the highest level. So they hold less.

Why you should stay far below the limit

More text means more squares. More squares means each square is smaller on the page. Smaller squares are harder for phones to read.

Two links we tested:

• https://qrvivid.com (19 characters) makes a 25 × 25 grid.
• A 94-character link with tracking tags makes a 41 × 41 grid. That is more than twice as many squares.

A code with thousands of characters is a dense grey cloud. It needs to be printed large and scanned up close.

Tips

• Use a short link. Remove tracking tags you do not need.
• For long text, put it on a web page and make a code that links to it.
• For contact cards, fill in only the fields people need.
• Print bigger if your code has a lot in it. See What size should a QR code be?

In QRVivid

The Text type takes up to 2,000 characters. If your text is too long for one code, QRVivid tells you how much fits.