It’s all data under the hood
Every QR code just stores text. What makes the types different is a standard text format the phone recognizes and turns into an action — opening a link, joining WiFi, adding a contact, and so on.
Here are the most common types and what scanning them does.
Common content types
URL: opens a web page. The most popular type — used for menus, links, and marketing. Text: shows plain text on screen. WiFi (WIFI:): joins a wireless network without typing the password.
vCard: adds a contact to the address book. SMS (SMSTO:) and email (mailto:): open a pre-addressed message. Event (VEVENT): adds a calendar entry with time and place.
Choosing the right type
Match the type to the action you want the scanner to take. For “visit my site” use a URL; for “connect to my WiFi” use a WiFi code; for “save my details” use a vCard.
QRForge generates all of these for free, with full styling and SVG/PNG/EPS export.
Frequently asked questions
Are all QR codes the same?
Visually similar, yes — but the text format inside differs, so phones take different actions (open a link vs join WiFi vs save a contact).
Can one QR code do two things?
A static QR encodes one payload. Multi-destination routing (e.g. A/B or device-based) is a future paid (dynamic) feature.
Which type is most common?
URL codes are by far the most common, used for menus, ads, packaging, and contactless links.
Can a QR code contain an image?
Not directly — it stores text. But it can encode a URL that points to an image, which the scanner opens.