How does a scanner determine the size of individual pixels in a QR code?

How QR codes work

Chapter 1

The board game inspiration

Chapter 2

Anatomy of the square

Chapter 3

The magic of error correction

Chapter 4

From factory floor to global daily life

YOUR GOAL

Master of How QR codes work

Ch 2 · Anatomy of the square
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marcus QR Code Anatomy

Three big corner squares show which way is up! (Which way is up!)

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marcus The quiet zone boundary

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The quiet zone boundary

marcus A mandatory border of empty space prevents nearby text or images from confusing the scanner.

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The tiny alignment squares

marcus Smaller inner squares help scanners adjust for curved or distorted surfaces.

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Inside the Square
BETA

marcus Decode the pixel grids to discover how QR codes store and share data.

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Fun Fact

Scanning upside down: The three large corner squares allow a QR code to be scanned from any 360-degree angle.

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Gossip

Best place for a QR code?

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Quiz

What is the minimum width of the blank 'quiet zone' border around a QR code?

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marcus The three magic squares

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Quiz

What are the three large squares in the corners of a QR code called?

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marcus The tiny alignment squares

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Quiz

What is the purpose of the blank white border around a QR code?

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marcus Timing patterns and grid lines

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Quiz

What shape are the modules that make up the data grid of a standard QR code?

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Quiz

What do the tiny, smaller squares inside a QR code do?

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Quiz

Why can a QR code be successfully scanned even when it is upside down?

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Quiz

How does a scanner determine the size of individual pixels in a QR code?

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Quiz

What are the alternating black and white tracks between the corner squares called?

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