The QR Code

A QR code is a small square made of black and white dots. When you scan it with a phone camera, it can open a website, show a menu, or share information. QR codes are used everywhere today.

How QR Codes Were Invented

QR codes were invented in 1994 by a Japanese company called Denso Wave. They were first used to track car parts in factories. QR stands for Quick Response because the codes can be read very fast.

For many years, QR codes were mainly used in Japan. They became popular around the world during the 2020s when restaurants used them to show menus on phones.

How QR Codes Work

A QR code stores information in a pattern of tiny squares. A phone camera reads the pattern and turns it into a web address or other data. QR codes can hold much more information than a regular barcode.

You can find QR codes on posters, food packages, tickets, and signs. Some teachers use QR codes to share fun learning activities. You can even make your own QR code online for free.

Fun Facts

• QR stands for Quick Response.
• A single QR code can store over 4,000 characters of text.
• QR codes were first used to track car parts in a factory in Japan.

Did You Know?

QR codes have built-in error correction, so they still work even if part of the code is damaged or covered up.