QR Code Features

High Capacity Encoding of Data
While conventional bar codes are capable of storing a maximum of approximately 20 digits, QR Code is capable of handling several dozen to several hundred times more information. QR Code is capable of handling all types of data, such as numeric and alphabetic characters, Kanji, Kana, Hiragana, symbols, binary, and control codes. Up to 7,089 characters can be encoded in one symbol.
QR Code Data capacity Numeric only Max. 7,089 characters Alphanumeric Max. 4,296 characters Binary (8 bits) Max. 2,953 bytes Kanji, full-width Kana Max. 1,817 characters
	A QR Code symbol of this size can encode 300 alphanumeric characters.

Small Printout Size
Since QR Code carries information both horizontally and vertically, QR Code is capable of encoding the same amount of data in approximately one-tenth the space of a traditional bar code. (For a smaller printout size, Micro QR Code is available.

Kanji and Kana Capability
As a symbology developed in Japan, QR Code is capable of encoding JIS Level 1 and Level 2 kanji character set. In case of Japanese, one full-width Kana or Kanji character is efficiently encoded in 13 bits, allowing QR Code to hold more than 20% data than other 2D symbologies.

Dirt and Damage Resistant
QR Code has error correction capability. Data can be restored even if the symbol is partially dirty or damaged. A maximum 30% of codewords*1 can be restored*2.
*1: A codeword is a unit that constructs the data area. In the case of QR Code, one codeword is equal to 8 bits. *2: Data restoration may not be fully performed depending on the amount of dirt or damage.

Readable from any direction in 360°
QR Code is capable of 360 degree (omni-directional), high speed reading. QR Code accomplishes this task through position detection patterns located at the three corners of the symbol. These position detection patterns guarantee stable high-speed reading, circumventing the negative effects of background interference.

Structured Append Feature
QR Code can be divided into multiple data areas. Conversely, information stored in multiple QR Code symbols can be reconstructed as single data symbols. One data symbol can be divided into up to 16 symbols, allowing printing in a narrow area.	The same data can be read either from the upper symbol or the lower four symbols.