Find out the minimum QR code version needed to fit your text, based on character count and error correction level.
QR codes come in 40 standardized "versions," each a larger grid of modules (from 21×21 up to 177×177) able to hold more data. Higher error correction levels let a scanner read a damaged or obscured code, but they also reduce how much actual data fits at each version — this calculator finds the smallest version (up to version 10) that fits your text in byte mode at your chosen error correction level.
Byte-mode capacity per version and error correction level follows the ISO/IEC 18004 QR code specification table. The calculator checks each version's byte capacity at your selected EC level and returns the smallest version where Capacity ≥ your character count.
Enter roughly how many characters your QR code needs to encode (a URL, message, or contact card) and choose your desired error correction level — higher levels are more scan-resistant to damage or low print quality but need a larger code for the same text.
An 80-character URL at Medium (M) error correction level fits comfortably within QR Version 4 (33×33 modules), which holds up to 78 bytes at M level — actually just over, so the calculator would bump it to Version 5 to be safe.
This tool covers versions 1-10, sufficient for most short text, URLs, and contact details. For very long data needing versions 11-40, use a dedicated QR code generator.
It depends on the QR version and error correction level, from a few dozen characters up to several thousand.
Higher correction levels add redundant data for damage resistance, reducing space for content.
Yes — numeric-only data allows the highest character capacity compared to more complex data types.