What is a QR code, and what can it do?

A QR code is that little square you scan with your phone. We explain simply how it works — and everything you can do with it on wearcode.

Explore the shop Discover the editor

One scan is enough

A 3D QR code in wearcode colours, gradient from pink to blue, on a light background

One square, a thousand possibilities.

No need to be an expert. In 30 seconds, you'll know exactly what a QR code is and why it's so handy.

Definition

What is a QR code?

It's a two-dimensional barcode: a square of small black-and-white modules. It can store a link, text, a business card… Your phone reads it and takes you straight to the content, without typing anything.

See the three large squares in the corners? Those are the position markers. Your phone looks for them first: they tell it where the code starts, how big it is and which way up it sits. That is why a QR scans sideways, upside down or at an angle — and why the fourth corner stays empty. At wearcode, you can even give them a colour of their own.

Readable by every smartphone
Nothing to type
Works in print

Structure of a 3D QR code: the three position markers in the corners, the fourth corner left empty

The scan

How do you scan it?

Just open your phone's camera and point it at the QR code. A notification appears, you tap it, and the content opens. No special app to install on recent phones.

With the camera
iPhone & Android
Instant

A phone framing a QR code and revealing the link it contains

With wearcode

What makes wearcode special

At wearcode, your QR code doesn't open just any link: it opens your hosted page, customizable social-network style. And it's printed on your garment, with the design of your choice.

Opens your own page
Customizable & styled
Scan statistics included

Go further

Move from theory to your own QR code.

The QR code editorCreate yours, in your style Your hosted pageWhat opens on scan

QR code frequently asked questions

The questions we get asked the most, answered simply.

What exactly is a QR code?

A QR code ("Quick Response") is a two-dimensional barcode your smartphone camera can read. It encodes information — usually a web link — and opens it instantly when scanned. Invented in 1994, it is now the simplest bridge between the physical world and the internet.

How do I scan a QR code?

Just open your phone camera and point it at the code: both iPhone and Android detect it automatically, no app needed. A notification pops up — tap it and the page opens.

What is a QR code used for?

Opening any content without typing an address: a website, a menu, a payment, a business card… Worn on clothing, it becomes an original way to share your page: someone scans you, your profile opens.

Does a QR code work forever?

The print ages like on any other garment: it fades a little over the washes. Wash it inside out at 30°C and skip the tumble dryer. Good news — the QR standard includes an error-correction margin, so the code still reads even when the print is no longer perfect. And what really matters never wears out: your hosted page stays editable whenever you like, without ever reprinting the code.

Can you print a QR code on a t-shirt?

Yes — it's our specialty. Design your custom QR code t-shirt in the online editor: colours, dot styles, gradients… The code stays perfectly scannable, from 1 unit, printed in Europe.

Secure payment

Encrypted transactions via Mollie.

Printed on demand

Made only when you order.

Shipped across Europe

Fast production and delivery.

Always scannable

Continuously tested, even when styled.

Your turn

Ready to create your QR code?

Now that you know it all, dive in: build your QR code and print it on your product.

Create my QR code