Let’s face it, QR codes are intimidating for us humans. All these little squares and dots seem to make no sense, but they are actually logical. Time to take a good look at it to become a QR expert and master the technicalities of QR codes.
How do QR codes work?
In this section, we will address the seemingly complicated process that allows you to access digital data by scanning a QR code. For that purpose, we will examine the anatomy of a QR code, which will help us understand how scanners are able to translate it into readable information.
Detection markers for positioning: quickly detectable to the human eye, the squares located at the three corners of each QR code are there to indicate to the scanner it’s pointing at a QR code and showing it the orientation of the code.
Markings for alignment: a marker set to help with the detection of the QR code, for example when it’s on an uneven surface.
Version information: a little information to let your QR code scanner what version it’s working with. Useful, as there are 40 different QR code versions.
Patterns for timing: a pattern that help to configure the data grid, so the scanner can determine the data matrix’s size.
Format patterns: this information pattern contains data about error tolerance and data mask pattern to make it easier to scan the code.
Main data: the actual place where the main data is encoded alongside with the error correction block that allows up to 30% of the code to be damaged.
Quiet zone: around every QR code, you will find white space that makes it easier for the scanner to distinguish the QR code from what’s around it.
About the Author
Mirko Humbert
Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.