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Plain Text QR Code

The camera app can scan this. The Zebra app can scan this.

A plain text QR code simply stores words or numbers. Nothing opens automatically; the scanner just shows the text, which works offline and is handy for notes, serial numbers or puzzles.

Also called Text QR code, static text QR.

In this family

Specifications

Standard	QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004), no content convention
Character set	Any text (byte mode, UTF-8; Kanji mode for Japanese)
Capacity	Up to 2953 bytes (version 40-L)
Error correction	QR error correction
Dimension	2D matrix
Origin	Denso Wave QR Code, 1994

Where it is used

Serial numbers, notes, puzzles, inventory, offline information

People use it for serial numbers, notes, puzzles, inventory, offline information.

The camera app can scan this. The Zebra app can scan this. Both return the raw text.

Example

Hello world!

Scan and create

Create this code Camera app Zebra app

Create this code opens the barcode generator with this symbology and the sample text filled in.

The camera app can scan this and shows it as QR Code. It returns the raw text. It does not open links, look up products, or start a payment. The desktop companion types that text into the focused field.

The Zebra app can scan this. It returns the raw text.

Related codes

QR Code

Questions

How much text fits in a QR code?

The symbol can hold up to 2953 bytes (version 40-L). When an app can scan it, the app returns the text it read and does not measure how full the symbol is. The camera app can scan this. It returns the raw text. The Zebra app can scan this.

Does a text QR code need internet?

A plain text QR code simply stores words or numbers. The cited standard is QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004), no content convention. The camera app can scan this. It returns the raw text. The Zebra app can scan this.

Why does my text QR show strange characters?

Serial numbers, notes, puzzles, inventory, offline information. A plain text QR code simply stores words or numbers. The camera app can scan this. It returns the raw text. The Zebra app can scan this.