Every QR code type explained: which of the 12 generators to use

QRVille has 12 QR code generators, and the only real question is which one matches what you want a scan to do. A QR code is just data in a specific format - the format decides whether the phone opens a website, saves a contact, joins a WiFi network, or drafts a text message. Here is a practical rundown of all twelve.

The basics: URL and Text

The URL generator is the one most people want: it encodes a web address, and scanning opens that page in the browser. Use it for menus, landing pages, app downloads, and anything else that lives at a link.

The Text generator encodes plain text with no action attached - the phone simply displays it. It is the right pick for serial numbers, short instructions, coupon codes, or anything the reader should see rather than visit.

Contact cards: vCard vs MeCard

Both put a contact into the scanner's address book, but they are different formats. The vCard generator encodes a BEGIN:VCARD block (version 3.0) - the standard contact format that iOS and Android understand natively, with room for name, organization, title, multiple phone numbers, email, website, and address. If you are making a business card QR code, this is the one.

The MeCard generator encodes the MECARD: format, a compact scheme originally created by NTT DoCoMo for Japanese feature phones. It carries fewer fields and produces a smaller, simpler code that scans a bit more easily at small print sizes. Pick MeCard when space is tight and you only need the basics; pick vCard for everything else.

Communication: Email, Phone, SMS

These three each pre-load a communication action. The Email generator encodes a mailto: link - scanning opens the mail app with the address, subject, and body already filled in. The Phone generator encodes a tel: number, so a scan brings up the dialer with your number ready to call. The SMS generator encodes an SMSTO: payload - scanning opens the messaging app with the recipient and a pre-written message, and the person just hits send.

They are perfect for support lines, RSVP-by-text campaigns, and feedback emails - anywhere you want to remove the typing between seeing your number and contacting you.

Connectivity: WiFi

The WiFi generator might be the most satisfying of the twelve: scanning joins the network without typing the password. It encodes the WIFI:T:;S:;P:;H:;; format with your network name, password, and security type - WPA/WPA2, WEP, and open networks are all supported, and hidden networks work too.

Print one for the guest room, the coffee shop counter, or the office lobby, and nobody has to spell out your password again.

Places and plans: Location and Event

The Location generator encodes a geo: URI with latitude and longitude. Scanning opens the spot in the phone's maps app - handy for venue signage, delivery instructions, trailheads, and anywhere a street address is ambiguous.

The Event generator encodes a BEGIN:VEVENT calendar entry with the title, location, start and end times. A scan offers to add the event straight to the calendar, which makes it a natural fit for invitations, conference posters, and ticket confirmations.

Social and payments: Social and Bitcoin

The Social generator builds a code that points to your profile on any of 8 platforms - pick the platform, enter your username, and the code links straight to your page. One code per profile beats printing eight handles on a flyer.

The Bitcoin generator encodes a bitcoin: URI with your wallet address and an optional amount. Wallet apps recognize the format and open a payment screen with the fields pre-filled - useful for donation jars, invoices, and tip cards.

How to pick

Start from the action you want a scan to trigger. Opening a page is URL; saving a contact is vCard (or MeCard when space is tight); starting a message is Email, Phone, or SMS; joining a network is WiFi; navigating somewhere is Location; adding to a calendar is Event; following you is Social; paying you is Bitcoin. And if nothing needs to happen at all, plain Text is enough.

For concrete examples of all of these in the wild - menus, business cards, event posters, guest WiFi and more - browse the use case library.