Barcode vs QR Code: What Is the Difference?
Barcodes store a little data in stripes; QR codes store much more in a square grid. Learn how they differ and which one to use for your job.
A barcode stores a small number in a row of vertical stripes, while a QR code stores much more data in a two-dimensional square grid. A barcode is read left-to-right; a QR code is read in any orientation.
Key differences
- Data capacity — a typical barcode holds ~12–13 digits; a QR code holds thousands of characters, including URLs and text
- Shape — barcode is a 1D line of bars; QR code is a 2D grid of squares
- Scanning — barcodes need a laser or aligned camera; QR codes scan from any angle and tolerate some damage
- Use — barcodes label retail products (UPC/EAN); QR codes link to websites, payments and WiFi
Which should you use?
Use a barcode for point-of-sale product labels tied to an inventory system. Use a QR code when you need to encode a URL, contact card, payment or WiFi login that people scan with a phone.
Create either now
Generate product barcodes with the barcode generator, or encode a link with the QR code generator. Related: How to make a WiFi QR code.