A QR code uses error correction encoding and mask patterns. The QR code's size is represented by a number, called a version number. To ensure that a QR code scanner accurately decodes what it scans, the QR code specification requires that each code include a format information string, which tells the QR code scanner which error correction level and mask pattern the QR code is using. In addition, for version 7 and larger, the QR code specification requires that each code include a version information string, which tells the QR code scanner which version the code is. This page lists all the possible format and version strings.

About Format Information Strings

QR Codes use error correction encoding. This is a way of generating redundant data that QR code scanners can use to detect and fix errors in the scanned code.

QR codes also use mask patterns. A mask pattern is an algorithm for changing the color (dark to light or light to dark) of a certain pattern of pixels in the code in order to make it easier for scanners to read accurately.

QR codes must include a format string that contains the information about which level of error correction coding and which mask pattern are in use in the code. This page lists all 32 possible format strings. For a detailed explanation of how these strings are generated, please visit the Format and Version Information page.

List of all Format Information Strings

About Version Information Strings

The size of a QR code is represented by a number called the version number. Codes that are version 7 and larger must include two 6x3 rectangular blocks that contain the version information string. For details on how these version information strings are calculated and where they should be placed in the QR code, please see the Format and Version Information page.