Available Data Types
URL
The most common QR code type. When scanned, it opens a website in the user’s browser.
Best for: Website links, landing pages, online menus, social media profiles
Example: https://example.com/menu
Tips:
- Always include
https://for secure links - Use URL shorteners for very long URLs to keep QR codes simple
- Test your URL before creating the QR code
Text
Encode plain text that displays on the scanner’s screen. No internet connection required to view.
Best for: Short messages, instructions, reference codes, serial numbers
Example: Welcome to our store! Show this code for 10% off.
Tips:
- Keep text concise—longer text creates more complex QR codes
- Works offline once scanned
Phone Number
Creates a QR code that, when scanned, prompts to call the number.
Best for: Business cards, contact information, customer service
Example: +1 (555) 123-4567
Tips:
- Include the country code for international compatibility
- The phone app will open with the number ready to dial
Opens the user’s email app with a pre-filled recipient, subject, and body.
Best for: Contact forms, feedback requests, support inquiries
Fields:
- Email address: The recipient (required)
- Subject: Pre-filled subject line (optional)
- Body: Pre-filled message content (optional)
Example: Opens email to support@example.com with subject “Question about my order”
WiFi
Allows users to connect to a WiFi network by scanning—no typing passwords.
Best for: Guest networks, offices, cafes, hotels, events
Fields:
- Network Name (SSID): The WiFi network name (required)
- Password: The network password (required for secured networks)
- Encryption: WPA/WPA2, WEP, or None
- Hidden Network: Check if the network doesn’t broadcast its name
Tips:
- Most modern phones support WiFi QR codes
- Great for sharing guest network access without revealing the password verbally
vCard (Contact Card)
Creates a digital business card that can be saved directly to contacts.
Best for: Business cards, networking events, employee badges
Fields:
- First Name and Last Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Company/Organization
- Job Title
- Website
- Address
Tips:
- Fill in as many fields as relevant—users can save all info with one scan
- Perfect replacement for paper business cards
Smart
Available on Pro and Max plans
A Smart QR routes scanners to different destinations based on the day and time. The same printed code can send people to a lunch menu during the day, a dinner menu after 4pm, and a brunch page on weekends—without reprinting.
Best for: Restaurants with rotating menus, venues with different open hours, seasonal campaigns, weekday vs. weekend promotions
Fields:
- Default destination: where scanners land when no rule matches
- Time zone: rules fire in this time zone, regardless of where the scanner is
- Rules: up to 10 rules, each with days, a from/to time, and a destination URL
For setup details, see Setting Up Smart QR Codes.
Bulk
Available on the Max plan
Bulk creates many QR codes at once from a CSV. Each row in your file becomes its own QR code with its own destination, all sharing the design you set for the batch.
Best for: Inventory, event badges, table-specific menus, asset tracking, multi-location campaigns
For setup details, see Bulk QR Code Generation.
Choosing the Right Type
| Use Case | Recommended Type |
|---|---|
| Link to a website | URL |
| Share contact info | vCard |
| Guest WiFi access | WiFi |
| Quick message or code | Text |
| Call-to-action to call | Phone |
| Feedback or inquiries | |
| Time-based routing | Smart |
| Many codes at once | Bulk |
Tracking Compatibility
Trackable types: URL, Smart, and Bulk (when each row points to a URL)
QR codes with tracking enabled use a redirect URL to count scans before forwarding to your destination. This works with URL-type codes, Smart QR codes (which redirect through SnapGlyph to apply the active rule), and Bulk-generated URL codes.
Other data types (text, phone, email, WiFi, vCard) cannot be tracked because they don’t involve a web redirect.