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Why two QR Codes with the same URL can look different?

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Why two QR Codes with the same URL can look different?

QR Codes might be encoded with a different algorithm

Every QR Code Generator uses different algorithms and also different encodings (Numeric, Alphanumeric, Byte Mode, Kanji Mode, ECI Mode) when creating a QR Code. Therefore, it is possible that different looking QR Codes can have the same URL or text information encoded.

QR Codes might be encoded with a different error correction level

Another possibility are different error correction levels (L, M, Q or H). The higher the error correction is set the bigger the QR Code gets.

The two QR Codes in the title image look different but have the same content. Scan each of them and you will see or create your own QR Code and set different error correction levels.

Last update 2 months ago

Is a QR Code still readable when some areas of are damaged or missing?

In general, yes. It depends on the error correction level, that is set when creating a QR Code. The higher the level, the more of the QR code can be damaged.

Is a QR Code still readable when some areas of are damaged or missing?

QR Code Error Correction

Error correction helps, that a QR Code stays readable, even if some pixels are missing. You can choose between 4 different levels of error correction.

QR Code Error Correction