Scan & Generate
Free QR Code Capacity Calculator
Enter your content and see exactly which QR version is needed, how much capacity is used, and how error correction affects size.
Full QR Code Capacity Table
Showing max character capacity for all 40 versions at the selected error correction level.
| Version | Grid | Numeric | Alphanumeric | Binary (bytes) | Common Use |
|---|
Understanding QR Code Versions
QR codes come in 40 versions. Version 1 is the smallest (21×21 modules) and holds the least data. Version 40 is the largest (177×177 modules) and can store up to 7,089 numeric digits or 4,296 alphanumeric characters.
Why Shorter URLs Are Better
A shorter URL requires a lower QR version, which means:
- Fewer modules in the grid → easier to print at small sizes
- Faster to scan (fewer patterns for the camera to decode)
- More robust against print quality issues
- More space for error correction (lower version = higher relative EC)
Tip: Use a URL shortener or a custom short domain to keep QR code links as short as possible — especially for print marketing where size matters.
Error Correction Tradeoff
Higher error correction means the QR code can still scan even if up to 30% (Level H) of its surface is damaged. But it also reduces data capacity significantly — a Level H QR code holds roughly half the data of the same version at Level L. Choose H when you want to add a logo overlay.
Generate Optimized QR Codes on Your Phone
The Scan & Generate app automatically picks the smallest QR version for your content — shorter URLs = smaller, faster-scanning codes.