QR code

A square block of black and white cells with three large squares at its corners.

Also known as: Square barcode, Black and white square

Everyday & digitalEngineering & technicalQuiet profile

Meanings

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode, not a symbol with a meaning: the three large corner squares are position markers that let a scanner find and orient the grid, and the content is whatever was encoded.

Common modern usageVerified fact
Encodes data as a two-dimensional grid of light and dark cells, readable by a camera from any rotation.
Contexts: Software
Common modern usageVerified fact
Carries three large concentric squares at three of its corners, which are position markers that let a scanner locate the grid and work out its orientation — not decoration and not part of the encoded data.
Contexts: Software
Common modern usageVerified fact
Has no meaning of its own: what it does depends entirely on what was encoded, which is why a code printed in a public place cannot be judged safe by looking at it.
Contexts: Software

Visual description

A square filled with an irregular grid of small black and white cells, with three larger concentric black squares occupying the top-left, top-right and bottom-left corners.

A fuller structured visual breakdown is not yet documented for this symbol.

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

QR code
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what an icon marks and how widely a convention is followed, never for a claim that any body defines it.

Last reviewed 2026-08-01

Part of

Device and interface icons

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Meanings

Common modern usageVerified fact

Encodes data as a two-dimensional grid of light and dark cells, readable by a camera from any rotation.

Contexts: Software

Common modern usageVerified fact

Carries three large concentric squares at three of its corners, which are position markers that let a scanner locate the grid and work out its orientation — not decoration and not part of the encoded data.

Contexts: Software

Common modern usageVerified fact

Has no meaning of its own: what it does depends entirely on what was encoded, which is why a code printed in a public place cannot be judged safe by looking at it.

Contexts: Software

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.